NASA Relay 2 Dead Satellite Emits Unexpected Radio Signal
A team led by Clancy James from Curtin University detected a powerful radio signal from NASA's long-defunct Relay 2 satellite using the ASKAP radio telescopes. This unexpected burst lasted only a nanosecond but was so intense it overshadowed other signals. The source was traced to Relay 2, inactive for nearly 60 years. Scientists suggest the cause could be a collision with space debris or an electrostatic discharge from accumulated charge. This event highlights the unpredictable behavior of space debris and offers new ways to study electrostatic phenomena in orbit, especially as the number of small, unprotected satellites increases.
