Skynet-1A: Why did the UK's oldest space satellite end up thousands of miles from where it should have been?
www.bbc.com
Britain's oldest satellite is in the wrong part of the sky, but no-one's really sure who moved it.

Summary

The UK’s oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, launched in 1969, has mysteriously shifted from its original orbit over Africa to a high-risk position over the Americas.

It’s suspected that in the 1970s, Skynet-1A was intentionally moved west, possibly by U.S. controllers, but records confirming who made this decision and why are missing.

Now inactive, the satellite poses collision risks to active satellites, as it occupies a congested orbit at 105 degrees West longitude.

The UK may eventually need to consider relocating Skynet-1A or removing it altogether to mitigate risks from space debris.

  • SirQuackTheDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    6 days ago

    Hey, I’m the CEO CTO of a Brand New Startup named Crayonz. I can launch a rocket filled with crayons and six highly trained monkey AI models to mask the satellite.

    I just need 1.6 billion BTC for Funding A, but we can make this work! Think of the AI benefits and Space Synergy.

    • Zier@fedia.io
      2·
      6 days ago

      BTC? or BTU’s? It takes a lot of energy to launch. Actually, wouldn’t all the crayonz melt on the way out? This could end up being a very expensive monkey candle, in space.

      • SirQuackTheDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        5 days ago

        This could end up being a very expensive monkey candle, in space.

        But imagine the friends we’ll make along the way