After PhD candidate Kate Dibiasky discovers a comet on a direct collision course with Earth, she and Professor Randall Mindy try to persuade a politically distracted President, a media-saturated public, and a powerful technology company to stop it before impact.
- Scenes 1–7
Kate and Randall work within the familiar routine of astronomy and university research.
- Scenes 8–26
They discover the impact deadline and need the government and public to respond, but Orlean refuses immediate action.
- Scenes 27–60
Kate and Oglethorpe take the warning outside official channels, entering the press and television world to reach the public.
- Scenes 61–72
The scientists navigate conspiracy claims, arrest, and political reversal as Orlean finally announces a deflection mission.
- Scenes 73–122
Their warning appears to win official action and a national launch, though Randall’s celebrity role and BASH’s access undermine the effort.
- Scenes 123–164
The mission turns back; BASH substitutes mining for deflection, Kate is silenced, Randall’s family breaks apart, and a rival mission fails.
- Scene 172
Randall arrives at June’s home with groceries and asks to share dinner, choosing his family over the prestige that separated them.
- Just before
- Scene 178
BEAD drones race through deep space toward the comet.
- Scene 179
The drones attach and several fail, prompting Orlean to ask Isherwell how many more losses the plan can sustain.
- Scene 180
A CVN anchor reports that several BEAD drones exploded during launch.
- Scene 181
This scene
