article_snippet: Nearly 30 minutes after takeoff, the plane sends a text via satellite that confirms the plane's headed to Beijing, as expected.
article_snippet: Later, the plane sends a final radio call as it transitions between Malaysia air traffic controllers to controllers in Vietnam.
article_snippet: Later, an orbiting satellite checks in with the plane's satellite transceiver, kind of like a cell tower pinging a mobile phone.
article_snippet: The aircraft responds electronically --  "shaking hands" with the satellite.