Yeah, it was too bad they could not course correct it, but the telemetry is also cool. I agree with the author that it really boggles the mind that we have the ability to use our laptops, tethered to a phone, to send commands to an ancient satellite, to turn on its sensors. If that isn't the hook of an alien invasion thriller I don't know what is :-)

I might be wrong but aren't you missing the giant radio telescope they used to send the commands?

Still awesome. I love how NASA helped with advisors and gave their okay.

At DEFCON no less. Not only do it, but do it in a hostile environment. Pretty amazing.

Best quote from the story: SSH-ing from the third row of DEFCON into the laptop at Arecibo to send commands to the space probe that was about to fly past the moon

That sounds like hollywood technobabble. It is not. It is gloriously, awesomely not.

As an aside, Risky Business podcast is a fantastic podcast if you're interested in infosec. I've been listening to it for over five years, and can't recommend it enough, both for the quality of the content, and for the laughs they have. It comes out weekly on Fridays (Australia time). I've met Pat at some conferences and had a beer with him - he's a great guy, both on and off the podcast. Highly recommended! The website is http://risky.biz

/plug

Have to agree here. Your mileage may vary on the sponsor interviews at the end of the podcast, but the guest interview each week is generally pretty awesome, along with the news chatter. Great podcast, highly recommend giving it a try.