The UK’s oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, has mysteriously changed position in space without any clear record of who directed the move or why. Launched in November 1969, just months after the first Moon landing, Skynet-1A originally relayed communications for British military forces from a high orbit over eastern Africa. However, despite the expected gravitational drift toward the Indian Ocean, Skynet-1A now orbits over the Americas, a half-world away from its initial location.
Satellite Drift or Intentional Movement?
Experts in orbital mechanics find it unlikely that the half-tonne satellite simply drifted to this new position. Instead, the shift suggests a deliberate command that activated the satellite’s thrusters in the 1970s, moving it westward. Dr Stuart Eves, a space consultant, highlighted that this shift places the satellite in a “gravity well” at 105 degrees west, where its movement oscillates, bringing it near active satellite traffic, increasing collision risks.
Tracing the Satellite’s Command History
There are efforts being made to trace Skynet-1A’s journey reveal limited historical documentation. According to Graham Davison, who once operated Skynet-1A, the satellite’s command initially remained under the control of the United States before being handed over to the UK’s RAF. Davison notes that it’s possible the Americans later regained command, though records confirming this are sparse. Rachel Hill, a PhD student at University College London, suggested that the move could have occurred during maintenance, when control temporarily transferred to the United States at their Sunnyvale facility.
Impact on Modern Satellite Operations
In light of modern space concerns, Skynet-1A’s position poses a challenge. The Ministry of Defence has stated that it monitors the satellite to avoid potential conflicts with active satellites. Experts like Professor Moriba Jah, an aerospace engineer, warn that aging satellites like Skynet-1A increase the chance of “super-spreader events,” where debris from collisions could endanger current space assets. With advancing technology, the British government may now consider retrieving Skynet-1A to a safer position, ensuring that it no longer poses a risk to the growing population of orbiting satellites.
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NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has made its second close flyby of the sun. The spacecraft travelled at a speed of 692000 kilometres per hour. It moved within 6.1 million kilometres of the sun. This event took place on March 22. A signal confirming its good health was received on March 25. The signal confirmed that all systems on board were working as planned. The probe was designed to study solar winds and collect data from the sun’s outer atmosphere. The mission is being used to help scientists understand solar activity that affects Earth.
More About The Mission
According to NASA’s announcement, the probe’s instruments were activated during the pass. They were used to study the corona. This is the outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere. The spacecraft was operated on its own during the flyby. It had been programmed in advance. Scientists believe this data may help them understand why the corona is hotter than the sun’s surface. The data is also being used to study changes in space weather. This information is considered important for protecting satellites and communication systems on Earth.
Quote from NASA
In a press release issued by NASA, acting Administrator Janet Petro said that the mission has entered a zone no spacecraft has visited before. Petro said this while addressing the media at the agency’s Washington headquarters. She said that the research is expected to change how solar science is studied in the future.
Award given to the team
As per a statement released by the National Aeronautic Association, the mission team was given the 2024 Robert J. Collier Trophy. The team includes experts from NASA and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Ralph Semmel, Director at Johns Hopkins APL, said that the mission was once believed to be impossible. He shared this in an interview with NASA’s press team. The next close flyby is expected to take place on June 19.
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