Amateur Astronomer Discovers Long-Lost NASA Satellite
In a remarkable turn of events, an amateur astronomer has stumbled upon a long-lost NASA satellite that had been missing for over a decade. The satellite, known as IMAGE (Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration), was originally launched in 2000 to study the interaction between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere. However, IMAGE went silent in 2005, and NASA declared it officially lost.
Scott Tilley’s Discovery
The amateur astronomer responsible for rediscovering IMAGE is Scott Tilley, a radio astronomer with a keen interest in spy satellites. While searching for the classified Zuma satellite that had recently gone missing, Tilley detected a signal from satellite 2000-017A, 26113—the call sign for IMAGE. Tilley announced his findings on his blog, Riddles In the Sky, on January 21, 2023.
NASA’s Hopes for IMAGE
NASA scientists were overjoyed to learn of Tilley’s discovery and are now hopeful that they can re-establish contact with IMAGE and perhaps even revive it. The satellite carries unique instruments that can provide valuable data on solar wind and its impact on Earth’s magnetosphere. This information is crucial for understanding and forecasting space weather, which can disrupt communication systems, power grids, and other infrastructure.
The Importance of Satellite Tracking
Tilley’s discovery highlights the important role that amateur satellite trackers play in space exploration. By monitoring satellite signals and sharing their data, these hobbyists can help NASA and other space agencies locate lost satellites, track active missions, and identify potential threats.
The Challenges of Satellite Recovery
Reviving a lost satellite is no easy task. IMAGE has been out of commission for over 15 years, and its systems may have degraded significantly. NASA engineers will need to carefully assess the satellite’s condition and determine if it is feasible to restore its functionality.
Power Failure and Transponder Malfunction
The original failure that caused IMAGE to go silent was a tripped Solid State Power Controller, which powers the transponder used to communicate with ground control. This essentially blew a fuse, preventing the transponder from powering back up.
Eclipse Season and Satellite Reboots
Satellites can enter a hibernation mode during eclipse season, when they pass through Earth’s shadow and their solar-powered batteries drain. When they emerge from eclipse season, the satellites typically reboot. NASA had hoped that a reboot during one of these eclipse seasons would restore power to IMAGE’s transponder, but that attempt was unsuccessful.
Historical NASA Satellite Recoveries
This is not the first time that NASA has managed to recover a long-lost satellite. In 2016, the agency re-established contact with the Solar and Terrestrial Relations Observatory: STEREO-B spacecraft, which had been missing for nearly two years. STEREO-B was eventually lost again, but its recovery demonstrated that it is possible to revive even seemingly lost satellites.
The Future of IMAGE
NASA is cautiously optimistic about the possibility of restoring IMAGE to full operation. The satellite’s unique capabilities could provide invaluable insights into the dynamics of Earth’s magnetosphere and improve our ability to forecast space weather. Engineers are currently working to re-establish communication with IMAGE and assess its condition. If successful, the recovery of IMAGE would be a major victory for NASA and a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of both professional and amateur astronomers.