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NASA Relay 2 Satellite Emits Mysterious Radio Pulse After 56 Years

6/25/2025

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Summary

Story summary

In a stunning discovery, astronomers from Curtin University identified a brief yet powerful radio pulse from the long-silent NASA Relay 2 satellite, which stopped functioning in 1967. Initially mistaken for a pulsar, the signal's origin was traced back to the satellite, possibly triggered by space debris or electrostatic discharge. Future missions may enhance our ability to capture such cosmic phenomena.

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Story summary

In a stunning discovery, astronomers from Curtin University identified a brief yet powerful radio pulse from the long-silent NASA Relay 2 satellite, which stopped functioning in 1967. Initially mistaken for a pulsar, the signal's origin was traced back to the satellite, possibly triggered by space debris or electrostatic discharge. Future missions may enhance our ability to capture such cosmic phenomena.