NASA baffled as ‘zombie’ satellite sends powerful pulse after 60 years of silence | Science | News
Scientists remained confused after sending a strong radio wave burst after a zombie satellite for decades of silence. NASA detected the mysterious signal last year and now believes that the relay is caused by its 2 satellites.
The long dead satellite exploded in 1964, but only three years later it was offline. However, after about 60 years, he sent an unexpected signal and scientists are not sure how it happened. The coup lasted only 30 nanosaniye, which did not match the systems of the satellite. This eliminates the possibility of a deliberate transmission.
Clancy James, associate professor at the University of Curtin University of Curtin in Australia New scientist: “This was an incredibly powerful radio pulse that left everything in the sky for a very short time.”
James and his colleagues believe that radio waves have a micrieteoritis effect or electrical accumulation. The signal, which was seized by scientists in June 2024, was caused by the Milky Way instead of a remote galaxy.
James added: “We were all excited, perhaps we discovered a new pulsar or another object.” However, it was determined that the pulse could only come from Relay 2.
Scientists believed that the satellite could be hit by a micrieteorite, but it was more likely that an electrostatic discharge event would create an explosion. They occur when there is a sudden flow of electricity between the two nearby surfaces.
“As a very early spacecraft, the researchers from the university may have been built of materials that can hold 2 more loads and produce more powerful ESD events. It has been known that ESD has caused radio frequency strokes for a long time.”
Karen Aplin, a professor of space science and technology at the University of Bristol, said it would be difficult to determine exactly how the signal emerged, as both possibilities will resemble scientists.
“There are smaller, low -cost satellites in a world where there are too many space debris and with limited protection from electrostatic discharge, this radio detection can ultimately offer a new technique to evaluate electrostatic discharge in space.”
