Signals detected from experimental satellite that failed in 1967
NASA has confirmed that the signals detected in 2016 do come from an experimental satellite, LES-1, that failed in 1967.
LES stands for Lincoln Experimental Satellite, and was the first in a series of test satellites built by MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory for the Air Force. It was launched on February 11, 1965. Though it was reported to be operating properly, it was placed in an incorrect orbit that made its experiments useless. It ceased transmissions in 1967 and was thought lost, until amateur astronomer Phil Williams picked up a signal in 2016.
Williams told Southgate Amateur Radio News that the signal he detected from his base in Cornwall seemed to cycle every four seconds, diminishing and returning to create an eerie repetitive sound.
It would later be determined that the fluctuation was the result of the long-lost satellite barreling end over end through the void of space, causing variations in the light reaching the solar panels that Gunter’s Space Page says likely now power the depleted batteries of this 65 lb (30 kg) relic of the space age.
Scientists are unclear as to how the satellite continues to operate — Williams himself expressed some uncertainty as to how the craft might continue to function given the particularly harsh environment of space and its tendency to destroy electronic equipment.
This story is nothing more than a curiosity, but a fine one nonetheless.
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NASA has confirmed that the signals detected in 2016 do come from an experimental satellite, LES-1, that failed in 1967.
LES stands for Lincoln Experimental Satellite, and was the first in a series of test satellites built by MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory for the Air Force. It was launched on February 11, 1965. Though it was reported to be operating properly, it was placed in an incorrect orbit that made its experiments useless. It ceased transmissions in 1967 and was thought lost, until amateur astronomer Phil Williams picked up a signal in 2016.
Williams told Southgate Amateur Radio News that the signal he detected from his base in Cornwall seemed to cycle every four seconds, diminishing and returning to create an eerie repetitive sound.
It would later be determined that the fluctuation was the result of the long-lost satellite barreling end over end through the void of space, causing variations in the light reaching the solar panels that Gunter’s Space Page says likely now power the depleted batteries of this 65 lb (30 kg) relic of the space age.
Scientists are unclear as to how the satellite continues to operate — Williams himself expressed some uncertainty as to how the craft might continue to function given the particularly harsh environment of space and its tendency to destroy electronic equipment.
This story is nothing more than a curiosity, but a fine one nonetheless.
The support of my readers through the years has given me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Four years ago, just before the 2020 election I wrote that Joe Biden's mental health was suspect. Only in this year has the propaganda mainstream media decided to recognize that basic fact.
Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Even today NASA and Congress refuse to recognize this reality.
In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are five ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation:
5. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above. And if you buy the books through the ebookit links, I get a larger cut and I get it sooner.
Mr. Z.,
Good stuff!
tangentially– the 3rd stage S4B booster from the Apollo 8 launch– is it still orbiting the sun?
“Apollo 8 – Go For TLI”
(1969)
https://youtu.be/xqmSfLFAEOs?t=153
21:53
V-ger?
Star Trek –
” I am Nomad”
https://youtu.be/egyd0cnmpPo
2:51
Reminds me of the Kettering Group. It is amazing how these ham radio operators like Phil Williams – G3YPQ, are finding these satellites. Last year I met Scott Tilley – VE7TIL, in Vancouver who found the IMAGE satellite much the same way.
It’s interesting that the article states ” fluctuation was the result of the long-lost satellite barreling end over end through the void of space, causing variations in the light reaching the solar panels ”
However the photo of the satellite LES-1 in the article shows it apparently covered on all sides with solar panels, plus having a near-spherical shape. It would seem that no matter what its attitude, there would be sunlight reaching one or more solar panels.
I would venture that the fluctuation in signal strength might be more likely caused by the tumbling antenna, as most satellite antennas are directional.
Found this in another article:
“Phil Williams G3YPQ from near Bude noticed its peculiar signal drift caused by its tumbling end over end every 4 seconds as the solar panels become shadowed by the engine. ‘This gives the signal a particularly ghostly sound as the voltage from the solar panels fluctuates’ Phil says.”
That makes sense. I stand corrected.
Andi,
Your first assumption was good, as this happened to Explorer 1 when it tumbled, but I am glad that you continued to do research to find the answer. It is nice to know these things. Thank you for your effort.