Why did the British Skynet-1A satellite change orbit? Experts are baffled

Britain’s oldest satellite, Skynet-1A, has mysteriously changed position in space without any clear evidence of who directed the move or why. Launched in November 1969, just months after the first moon landing, Skynet-1A originally relayed communications to British forces from high orbit over East Africa. However, despite the expected gravitational shift towards the Indian Ocean, Skynet-1A is now orbiting over America, half a world away from its original location.

Satellite drift or intentional movement?

Experts in orbital mechanics find it is unlikely that the half-ton satellite simply drifted to this new position. Instead, the shift suggests a deliberate command that activated the satellite’s thrusters in the 1970s and moved it westward. Dr. Stuart Eves, a space consultant, emphasized that this shift places the satellite in a “gravitational well” at 105 degrees west, where its motion oscillates, bringing it close to active satellite traffic, increasing the risk of collisions.

Track the satellite’s command history

Efforts are underway to trace Skynet-1A’s journey and uncover limited historical documentation. According to Graham Davison, who once operated Skynet-1A, command of the satellite initially remained under United States control before being transferred to the British RAF. Davison notes that it is possible that the Americans later regained command, although records confirming this are scarce. Rachel Hill, a PhD candidate at University College London, suggested the move could have taken place during maintenance, when control was temporarily transferred to the United States at their Sunnyvale facility.

Impact on modern satellite operations

In light of modern space problems, Skynet-1A’s position is challenging. The Ministry of Defense has stated that it is monitoring the satellite to prevent possible conflicts with active satellites. Experts such as Professor Moriba Jah, an aerospace engineer, warn that aging satellites such as Skynet-1A increase the risk of ‘super-spreader events’, where debris from collisions could endanger current space assets. With advancing technology, the UK government may now consider moving Skynet-1A to a more secure position so that it no longer poses a risk to the growing population of orbiting satellites.