It was this very day two years ago when we received the first radio signals from extraterrestrial lifeforms. The signal was picked up by one of SETI’s dishes located in the Arecibo Observatory. I remember the uproar after one of the scientists noticed the ever-repeating series of prime numbers blended into the constant stream of meaningless background hiss. However cliché it was considered to be, it worked perfectly as a beacon to sign that whatever the source, it possesses intelligence, or, at least, intention. While the answering signals were broadcasted in the general direction of the source, the astronomers quickly pinpointed its exact position: the signals came from a tiny spaceship orbiting Jupiter.
Communication, while taking place painfully slowly (it took about half an hour for the signal to arrive to its destination), was set up quickly, and, after specifying and codifying a mutual language to communicate, informational exchange has begun. As it turned out, the ship was the member of an extraterrestrial civilisation's exploration fleet, searching for intelligent life throughout the galaxy. However, even in spite of the extreme precautions they took, their equipment started malfunctioning, and they became stranded on Jupiter’s orbit, unable to make any further progress. To make things worse, the cause of the malfunction was diagnosed to be an irreversible glitch in the ship’s central computer and it seemed to grow graver and graver every moment. It was only a matter of time that their life support system started malfunctioning as well ‒ the communications relay already showed troubling signs, and the routing computer gave up completely some time before. Since their communications relay started acting abnormally, they couldn’t send any information back to their homeworld, but they’ve been worried that help might arrive late from that distance anyways. They were alone and helpless.
They have started to emit signals randomly in every direction, in the hope that an advanced enough civilization will pick them up and reply to them. The ship's navigators were immensely grateful about the fact that they’ve been stranded in a solar system that harbours intelligent and technologically developed life, and assured the humans to greatly repay the favour once rescued. They were counting their technological achievements they planned to share with us – with the secret of long distance space-faring and immortality on the list – when the signal abruptly broke up. Apparently their communication system couldn’t take it any longer.
The spaceship was still lit and was slowly orbiting Jupiter, but no-one knew how much time was left for the rescue. But one thing was granted: everyone wanted the spacecraft for themselves. The race lasted for three months: the Americans, the Russians, the Chinese, and just about everyone who could afford it started space projects of grandeour – some states mass-produced automated drones that would attach themselves to the shuttle and bring it down to Earth, or just deliver a functioning relay to revive the broken communication. Most of them failed at start due to the rushed development; many of them failed in space or simply missed the target. None of them even got close. Some manned spacecrafts were also launched, operated by astronauts driven by the craving for immortality (now in every aspect). There was no plan on how to get them back, but there was hope that they’ll be able to do something, anything, once they arrived. They have hardly passed the first third of the route by now. And they will never reach their target.
Ninety-nine days after the initial contact, the ship’s lights started to flicker and then went off. Some days later it disappeared behind Jupiter and all contact was lost. The space projects were promptly discontinued, but already a frightening amount of resources was spent on them. The partaking states were pointing fingers at each other, old conflicts were renewed and new ones created. At any rate, that was the last time we saw the spacecraft. If it is due to the imperfection of our telescopes and satellites that we haven’t seen it since or it has fallen into the planet is still an open question. But we rarely look in that direction anymore.
Forwarded on my FB account.
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