Mysterious Radio Pulse Detected From Defunct Satellite

Astronomers detected a powerful radio pulse from NASA's defunct Relay 2 satellite on June 13, 2024, using the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP). Initially thought to be a cosmic event, the signal was traced to within 20,000 kilometers of Earth, the position of Relay 2, which had been inactive since 1967. The pulse, lasting less than 30 nanoseconds, briefly outshone all other celestial radio sources. Scientists suggest the burst was likely caused by either an electrostatic discharge or a micrometeoroid impact generating a plasma cloud. However, the precise cause remains uncertain due to the crowded conditions in Earth's orbit. This incident underscores the unpredictable nature of space debris and its implications for spacecraft safety.