Lifeless NASA Satellite Relay 2 May Have Prompted Mysterious 2024 Radio Burst

In June 2024, scientists detected a mysterious, highly effective burst of radio waves originating from inside our galaxy. At first, they thought it was coming from a pulsar or one other undiscovered cosmic object. However, an evaluation revealed the origin of the sign was too near the Earth. Astronomers suppose it was attributable to a long-dead NASA satellite tv for pc Relay 2, was launched in 1964 however ceased operations in 1967 after its communication methods failed. Yet, practically 60 years later, it mysteriously emitted a strong radio sign, the researchers stated in a brand new preprint examine, which was posted June 13 to the server arXiv and has not but been peer-reviewed.

Relay 2: A Silent Satellite Sends a Loud Signal

According to the examine, the sign was detected utilizing the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) telescope array. These intense flashes usually originate from deep area and may carry extra vitality in milliseconds than the solar emits over a number of days.

But this sign, lasting simply 30 nanoseconds, was traced again to the neighborhood of Earth, too shut for ASKAP to concentrate on clearly. After ruling out cosmic sources, the crew traced the heart beat to the orbit of Relay 2. Despite having no functioning methods, the satellite tv for pc someway emitted the brightest radio flash within the sky at that second.

Researchers proposed two theories: a micrometeorite influence that created a radio-emitting plasma cloud, or an electrostatic discharge (ESD) attributable to cost buildup on the satellite tv for pc’s getting older supplies.

New Clues About Spacecraft Behavior and Space Debris

Though each mechanisms may produce comparable alerts, scientists lean towards electrostatic discharge because the likelier trigger. According to area physicists, older spacecraft like Relay 2 could also be particularly susceptible to such vitality releases because of outdated supplies and restricted shielding.

Karen Aplin informed New Scientist that finding out these unintentional emissions may assist monitor ESD occasions on as we speak’s small satellites — a lot of which additionally lack superior safety. In an more and more crowded orbital atmosphere, this detection technique could supply a novel software for evaluating area particles and satellite tv for pc well being.