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After 60 years, an ‘incredibly powerful' pulse from this space probe has scientists baffled

After 60 years, an ‘incredibly powerful' pulse from this space probe has scientists baffled

Independent3 hours ago

Astronomers at Australia 's Curtin University have been left perplexed after detecting a powerful, brief energy blast from a long-dead experimental NASA satellite.
The mysterious pulse was traced to NASA's Relay 2 satellite, which was launched in 1964 and stopped operating in 1967.
Researchers believe the blast was likely caused by an electrostatic discharge resulting from a collision with a micrometeoroid or space debris.
Electricity accumulates within spacecraft, which scientists suggest in this case led to a sudden, sharp discharge lasting only a billionth of a second upon impact.
Scientists suggest such energy discharge events may be common and recommend retrofitting future space probes for better detection.

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