Then it's verified that it's an intelligent signal. Then it's discovered that there are actually two signals in one. The second signal is separated and another discovery is made. Then they discover something more in the first signal. It keeps going.
More answers bring more questions.
Then the government steps in and the political jockeying begins. The head of the NSF, played by Tom Skerritt, begins to get more and more involved, elevating himself at Foster's expense. James Woods plays the head of the NSC and he wants to make sure that this machine doesn't threaten national interests. This movie is not an action movie. This movie does not deliver cheap thrills or condescend with pat answers.