I find this to be an interesting project.

http://rkthb.co/42228

 

 

Basically There is an old science satellite that that is heading back towards earth. Originally designed and launched in the 70's to study solar wind, in th80's NASA realized they could repurpose it to intercept a comet in order to beat other countries launching satellites to intercept comets. It succeeded though it's orbit was not to return to earth until 2014. In the 90's though all the old equipment used to communicate/ record data was scraped due to cutbacks, since it was an old and not scheduled to return for more than a decade. It's now 2014 and the satellite is rapidly heading back to earth. Even though all the original technology no longer exists to communicate with the satellite some scientists realized that we can use modern computer software to emulate the original hardware to control the satellite. They are raising funds in order to do that in the very limited window so they can make the necessary maneuvers to bring it back into orbit around the earth, and allow it to continue it's original mission. 

 

This project is pretty cool in my mind for a couple of reasons, for starters I like old technology especially old technology that is still functional. Even better in this case is the fact that it has some interments no other satellite currently has a modern equivalent too. Then you have the interaction of new and old technology. It's like  trying to play an original NES game cartridge on your smart phone. I really hope this project succeeds.

This is some pretty interesting stuff.

 

I understand how you're interested with old technology that still serves a purpose. I'm deeply fascinated by the Voyager satellites myself. I will be very sad the day they go offline.

To bad the Voyager spacecraft's are slowly loosing power, there is so much that those space could still tell us. Only 300 more years until it reaches the oort cloud.