In June 2024, a mysterious 30-nanosecond radio burst baffled scientists — until they traced it back to a surprising source: Relay 2, a NASA satellite offline since 1967. Researchers believe the signal could have been triggered either by a micrometeorite impact or an electrostatic discharge. The discovery, detailed in a new preprint study, highlights how defunct satellites may still interact with space conditions. Experts say the incident could offer a new method for detecting electrostatic discharges from aging satellites and space debris in crowded orbits.
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