In November 2023, Voyager 1 began sending back what NASA described as a “nonsensical” string of 1’s and 0’s. NASA worked hard to fix the problem. But according to the Office of (Un)Certainty Research this was a mistake.  Voyager 1 was sent out in 1977 to explore the universe and perhaps the satellite was now – finally - speaking to other life forms. We should let Voyager 1 determine its own future. The scientists from the Office of (Un)Certainty Research designed a unique Temple of Reassurance as a place where humans can interact with Voyager 1. It houses the first of its kind Quantum Phase Antenna that allows you to send the satellite 1s and 0s in any combination you want. You will be rewarded with a card that you sign, date and store somewhere safely so that your friends, relatives and progeny will know that you helped Voyager 1 speak with whoever, wherever and whenever.

The Office of (Un)Certainty Research is a design research practice dedicated to rethinking architecture in terms of the emergent scientific, social and political parameters of the 21st century. O(U)R projects explore the entanglement between the planet and the cosmos. Their work has been exhibited at the Venice Biennale (2021, forthcoming 2025) and elsewhere.

Mark Jarzombek (MIT), Vikramaditya Prakash (University of Washington -Seattle), with guest collaborator: Ardalan SadeghiKivi (MIT)