In an astonishing development, a NASA satellite that had been inactive for nearly six decades has suddenly transmitted a powerful radio signal back to Earth, leaving scientists both puzzled and intrigued.
When was the Signal Detected?
The signal was detected on June 13 by a team of researchers using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). Though it lasted for less than 30 nanoseconds, it was remarkably bright in the radio sky — so bright that it briefly outshone everything else being monitored at the time.
When was it launched?
Upon closer analysis, scientists traced the signal back to Relay 2, a NASA communications satellite launched in 1964 under the Relay program. The satellite was last actively used in 1965, and by 1967, it was considered completely non-operational. For over 50 years, there was no activity — until now.
NASA researchers are now eager to study Relay 2 further, especially since it’s located only about 20,000 kilometers from Earth, the same altitude it orbited decades ago. Its proximity makes it a promising candidate for further observation using optical telescopes.
Clancy James Statement
“This is an incredible opportunity,” said Clancy James, an astrophysicist at Curtin University in Australia. He explained that the signal was exceptionally powerful — a brief but intense burst of energy that clearly stood out in the radio sky. While the source appears to be external rather than from the satellite’s internal systems powering back on, possible causes include an electrostatic discharge or a micrometeorite impact.
James also hinted at the possibility of having uncovered a new pulsar or another unknown cosmic object, adding to the mystery and excitement around the event.
Meanwhile, Karen Aplin from the University of Bristol highlighted the broader implications of the discovery. She pointed out that this detection might help scientists better understand electrostatic discharges in space, a growing concern given the increasing number of small satellites and space debris in low-Earth orbit.
“In an era where we’re launching more compact, budget-friendly satellites with limited shielding, learning how to detect and study space-based discharges like this could prove extremely valuable,” Aplin said.
As scientists continue to analyze the burst and its origins, the event has sparked renewed interest in long-forgotten space hardware and what it might still be able to tell us about the dynamic environment of outer space.