satellite

For the first time in history, an independent crew is taking control of a NASA satellite and running a crowdfunded mission. They're doing it all from a makeshift mission control center in an abandoned McDonald's in Mountain View, California, using old radio parts from eBay and a salvaged flat screen TV.

"If I could come up with another absurd detail, I would," Keith Cowing, the project's team lead, told Betabeat. The ISEE-3 is a disco-era satellite that used to measure space weather like solar wind and radiation, but went out of commission decades ago. Now, a small team led by Mr. Cowing has taken control of the satellite with NASA's silent blessing.

For reference, here's the logo in question:

Really? Is this what we're doing now? Seriously?

Internet went out as the first bands of Isaac were rolling through. Found receiver arm was dangling from its wire. A splint and a clamp later, internetz throughout the storm. Win! Hey, it works for legs.

I want to be there right now please.

From the kludger:

This is what happens when Marines get sent to the backwoods of Japan with no cable just in time for the Superbowl. That's an AFN dish on the roof of the barracks being aimed and supported with a 20-lb curl bar, 550 cord, and copious quantities of duct tape. FORTUNATELY for all the football fans in my unit, I came prepared with the necessary multittools, compass, duct tape, and 550 cord to make that thing actually get decent reception.