Scientists have reestablished contact with the American reconnaissance satellite that disappeared 25 years ago, having discovered it in Earth orbit after it disappeared. Launched in 1974, the satellite was an experimental device aimed at supporting large-scale reconnaissance missions, but contact was lost in 1999.
The satellite was called S73-7 and was small in size – only 66 cm wide. Its task was to serve as a calibration target for remote sensing, but due to technical problems, it failed to successfully perform its functions and has since been considered part of the space junk. Due to its low radar efficiency, the satellite was difficult to detect on radar, which made it difficult to find for many years.
The restoration of communication with S73-7 was made possible by improving tracking technologies for objects in orbit and combining archival and up-to-date data, which allowed us to more accurately identify the satellite’s location. This discovery not only confirms the ability of modern technologies to recover lost data, but also emphasizes the importance of continuing to monitor outer space to avoid potential threats from space debris.
This satellite is now an important part of research aimed at studying and improving spacecraft control technologies and their interaction with radar systems, which may have significant implications for future space missions.
