Imagine a satellite, declared dead nearly 50 years ago, suddenly coming back to life! That's the astonishing story of LES-1, a 'zombie satellite' that defied the odds and started transmitting signals back to Earth after decades of silence.
In 1965, the US Air Force and MIT's Lincoln Laboratory launched two Lincoln Experimental Satellites (LES): LES-1 and LES-2. These were pioneers in satellite technology, utilizing the super-high-frequency X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum. They were designed to test and demonstrate military space communication systems.
According to NASA's History Office, the initial goal was to create a system with LES and Lincoln Experimental Terminals (LET) to showcase practical military satellite communications. However, the project's success was mixed. LES-1, launched from Cape Canaveral on February 11, 1965, didn't fully achieve its objectives. Due to a wiring issue, it never left its circular orbit and stopped transmitting in 1967. Its twin, LES-2, fared better, reaching its intended orbit on May 6, 1965.
LES-1, a piece of space junk, continued orbiting Earth for almost half a century. But in 2013, a radio astronomer in the UK made an incredible discovery: LES-1 was sending signals again! It had become a 'zombie satellite,' a phenomenon where defunct satellites mysteriously reactivate.
The signal from LES-1, according to the discoverer Phil Williams, faded in and out in a four-second cycle. This was likely due to the satellite tumbling, with its solar panels being blocked by the engines. This caused the signal's voltage to fluctuate, giving it a unique, 'ghostly' sound.
Following this unexpected revival, a team from the Lincoln Laboratory began monitoring LES-1, recording its signals as it passed over the university campus. Navid Yazdani, from the Laboratory's Advanced SATCOM Systems and Operations Group, stated that it was remarkable to see LES-1 still transmitting after so many years. LES-1 introduced innovative satellite communication technologies and techniques, which helped refine the design of subsequent experimental satellites, paving the way for future military and civilian systems.
But here's where it gets controversial... What caused this satellite to become a zombie? While the exact reason remains unknown, the Lincoln Laboratory suggests a possible electrical short, perhaps due to the degradation of its batteries or circuitry.
The satellite continues to orbit and remains operational to this day. This raises a fascinating question: what other 'lost' technology might be out there, waiting to surprise us? What do you think about the idea of 'zombie satellites'? Do you find this phenomenon fascinating, or do you have concerns about the potential for unexpected reactivation of old technology? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
