US satellite launched in 1974 found after 25 years missing

NASA PHOTO

NEWSLINE PAPER
,- The missing satellite called the Infrared Calibration Balloon (S73-7) was part of the U.S. Air Force Space Test Program.


After not being spotted for the past 25 years, the satellite was rediscovered earlier this week, according to tracking data from the 18th Space Defense Squadron of the Space Force, The News International quoted it as saying.


A large spy, called the KH-9 Hexagon, launched a satellite 26 inches (66 centimeters) wide, raising it to a 500-mile (800 kilometers) circular orbit, passing from Gizmodo.



The S73-7 satellite was supposed to expand in orbit and serve as a calibration target for remote sensing equipment, but its application failed and became space junk.


How did the missing satellite be found?


Satellite tracking involves a global sensor network that identifies the trajectory of objects in orbit and matches it with the route of circular satellite flight, according to the New York Post.


The data was then passed on to the latest satellite summary in the system that McDowell said, "Basically like air traffic control." The data obtained was the surveillance of more than 20,000 objects tracked by the Department of Defence's Global Space Surveillance Network. That must be a challenge for sensors, especially given that many of these spacecraft don't even transmit identities.


Orbiting right above the phenomenal line, which is not monitored by any radar, thus making it resemble a giant blind spot. The Department of Defence's global space surveillance network currently tracks more than 27,000 objects in orbit, most of which are used rocket propellers, as well as still operational and dead satellites. 



 

Source : New York Post

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