The UK’s oldest satellite has relocated mysteriously and it still remains unexplained, with no clear documentation of who moved it, when it happened, or why it was done.
Skynet-1A commenced its journey in 1969, shortly after the historic lunar landing, positioned above eastern Africa to facilitate British military communications.
Following its operational cessation, natural gravitational forces should have directed the satellite eastward towards the Indian Ocean region.
However, the satellite currently resides at an altitude of 22,369 miles (36,000km) above the Americas, remarkably distant from its original location.
Skynet-1A, weighing half a tonne, initially served as a military communications relay for British forces, extending its reach to Singapore from its position above Africa’s eastern coastline.
Specialists indicate that natural orbital dynamics are unlikely to explain its current position. Evidence suggests a deliberate westward repositioning occurred in the 1970s, though the authority behind this decision remains unidentified.
‘Wandering backwards and forwards’
Dr Stuart Eves, a space consultant, told BBC News: “It’s now in what we call a ‘gravity well’ at 105 degrees West longitude, wandering backwards and forwards like a marble at the bottom of a bowl. And unfortunately this brings it close to other satellite traffic on a regular basis.”
“Because it’s dead, the risk is it might bump into something, and because it’s “our” satellite we’re still responsible for it,” Eves added.
Dr Eves has been unable to uncover any information regarding Skynet-1A’s final operational phase in historical satellite records or the National Archives. The satellite faces potential encounters with space debris within a 50km radius up to four times daily, presenting a concerning proximity risk.
The Origin of Skynet-1A
Skynet-1A’s origins trace back to the United States, where it was produced by Philco Ford aerospace company, which is no longer operational. The satellite’s journey to space was facilitated by a US Air Force Delta rocket.
Dr Aaron Bateman’s recent research paper on the Skynet programme highlights: “The first Skynet satellite revolutionised UK telecommunications capacity. However, from a technological standpoint, Skynet-1A was more American than British since the United States both built and launched it.”
‘Americans originally controlled the satellite in orbit’
Graham Davison, now in his 80s, who operated Skynet-1A from RAF Oakhanger in Hampshire during the early 1970s, adds further context to this story.
“The Americans originally controlled the satellite in orbit. They tested all of our software against theirs, before then eventually handing over control to the RAF. In essence, there was dual control, but when or why Skynet-1A might have been handed back to the Americans, which seems likely – I’m afraid I can’t remember,” the retired engineer told BBC.
UCL PhD researcher Rachel Hill noted that temporary US control occurred when Oakhanger underwent maintenance closure. She indicated this period might have coincided with the positional change.
Rachel explained to the BBC: “A Skynet team from Oakhanger would go to the USAF satellite facility in Sunnyvale (colloquially known as the Blue Cube) and operate Skynet during ‘Oakout’.
‘Ticking time bomb’
According to official records tracking Skynet-1A, the satellite’s final control remained with the US after Oakhanger lost its ability to track it in June 1977. This scenario would indicate the satellite was abandoned in an unsuitable position.
Aaerospace engineering professor Moriba Jah from the University of Texas at Austin indicated that the satellite’s present condition poses significant dangers. “Pieces of space junk are like ticking time bombs,” Moriba said.
“We need to avoid what I call super-spreader events. When these things explode or something collides with them, it generates thousands of pieces of debris that then become a hazard to something else that we care about,” Moriba added.