Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist, recently made a significant discovery: the missing satellite S73-7, launched on April 10, 1974 as part of the US Air Force Space Test Program. This satellite was designed to be a calibration target for remote sensing equipment but failed its mission and became space junk. McDowell discovered that S73-7 had disappeared from radar twice, once in the 1970s and again in the 1990s.
The challenge of tracking satellites and space junk is due to the large number of objects orbiting Earth, over 20,000. Ground-based radar and optical sensors are used to track objects, but identifying them accurately remains difficult. The recent rediscovery of S73-7 is significant in the effort to track lost satellites and objects in orbit. With the increasing number of satellites being launched into space, the task of monitoring and understanding the potential threats posed by these objects becomes more challenging.
McDowell emphasized the importance of accurately tracking objects in orbit to minimize risks. As satellites are launched into space, engineers predict their trajectory and altitude. Changes in the planned path or drifting satellites can complicate tracking efforts. Finding ways to locate and identify objects in orbit is crucial for maintaining a safe space environment.
