Powerful Radio Signal Detected Near Earth Traced Back to Defunct 1960s Satellite
Astronomers Detect Powerful Radio Signal Near Earth—Then Discover It Came from 1960s Satellite
July 2025 | Science & Space
In a surprising twist, astronomers who recently detected an intense radio signal just 4,500 kilometers from Earth have traced it back—not to a new space object—but to a defunct satellite from the 1960s.
The mysterious burst was first observed in June 2024 by researchers in Australia using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP)—one of the world’s most advanced radio telescopes located in Western Australia.
At First, It Looked Like a Deep Space Phenomenon
Initially, the team suspected they had discovered a new astronomical object. The brief radio signal was unusually strong—2,000 to 3,000 times brighter than any other signal they had recorded.
ASKAP scientists are accustomed to tracking Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), which are extremely powerful flashes of radio waves coming from distant galaxies—often linked to neutron stars or magnetars (dense, magnetic remnants of dead stars).
But this particular signal didn’t behave like a cosmic FRB. When they narrowed their focus, it turned out to be much closer than any known galactic source.
What They Found Was Even More Surprising
By disabling the outer antennae and relying on ASKAP’s central dishes, the team zeroed in on the signal’s origin. To their astonishment, the source matched the orbital path of Relay 2—an old NASA communications satellite launched in 1964.
Relay 2 was once a pioneer of satellite communication. It helped improve transmissions between the United States and Europe and even played a role in broadcasting the Tokyo Olympics. However, the satellite was decommissioned in 1967 and became space debris.
Though scientists were initially disappointed it wasn’t a newly discovered object in deep space, the strength and clarity of the signal still left them puzzled—and intrigued.
What Could Have Triggered the Signal?
Experts now believe the strong radio burst may have been caused by a sudden release of static electricity that had built up on the satellite’s metallic surface over decades. This is similar to getting a small shock after walking on a carpet and touching a doorknob.
Another possibility is that a micrometeorite, traveling at very high speed, struck the satellite. This could have generated hot plasma (superheated gas), which momentarily radiated a strong burst of energy in the form of a radio wave.
While the micrometeorite theory is considered less likely, it’s still possible—and fascinating—considering that the satellite has been silent for nearly 60 years.
Space Junk: A Growing Challenge for Astronomers
This discovery serves as a warning about the growing problem of space junk orbiting Earth. With thousands of dead satellites and defunct space objects circling the planet, even small disruptions can interfere with astronomical observations and space-based research.
“With more derelict satellites in orbit, we could start seeing more of these unexpected signals,” said Professor Clancy James, an astrophysicist involved in the ASKAP research, speaking to CNN.
He added that such emissions, although rare, could confuse data analysis and mask real signals from distant celestial sources.
Why This Matters
The incident raises broader questions about how aging satellites and space junk interact with the environment in Earth’s orbit. It also underscores the need for better satellite tracking and international space debris regulation to avoid potential interference in space science.
The story, while humorous to some, reveals an important truth: space is getting noisy, not just from stars and quasars, but also from the remnants of humanity’s space race.
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This article is AI-generated for educational and informational purposes based on publicly available reports. Original story inspiration attributed to Livemint and CNN. All technical information has been simplified for general understanding
