In the vast expanse of outer space, losing an object isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it’s a daunting problem. But when something reappears on its own after being lost for 25 years, it feels like a small miracle. That’s exactly what happened with the IRCB S73-7 satellite.
The Reemergence of a Long-Lost Spy Satellite
The IRCB S73-7, launched in 1974, was presumed lost for decades before unexpectedly resurfacing on radar in April 2024. Originally deployed to calibrate equipment for the KH-9 “Big Bird” spy satellite program during the Cold War, it ended up classified as space debris following a critical deployment failure. Despite its disappearance, the U.S. Space Force eventually rediscovered it among the estimated 55,000 pieces of tracked debris orbiting Earth.
A Tool for Espionage and Calibration
In the shadowy world of Cold War espionage, space offered a strategic vantage point. The United States and the Soviet Union eyed each other suspiciously from orbit, using advanced technology to capture images of strategic regions. The KH-9 “Big Bird” program was no exception, launching satellites between 1971 and 1986 to photograph key areas from an average altitude of 800 km.
The specific mission of the IRCB S73-7 was to act as a calibration target for KH-9’s remote sensing instruments. Unfortunately, a technical fault prevented the satellite from fully deploying, rendering it space junk.
Monitoring Debris in Earth’s Orbit
Without intervention, space debris usually ends up in low Earth orbit, where it’s closely monitored to prevent collisions with active satellites or the International Space Station. This critical work is the responsibility of the 18th Space Defense Squadron of the U.S. Space Force, which watches over tens of thousands of pieces of orbital debris, including 27,000 rocket boosters and derelict satellites.
Somewhere amidst this cosmic clutter, the IRCB S73-7 remained hidden, fading from view multiple times between the 1980s and the mid-1990s. It wasn’t until this year that the lost satellite was found again and finally identified.
Meet the U.S. Space Force: Guardians of the Final Frontier
The U.S. Space Force may sound like a concept out of science fiction, but it’s a real branch of the military focused on space and planetary defense. Established officially in December 2019 under the Trump administration, it’s part of the U.S. Air Force and includes both pilots and ground crew members known as “Guardians,” a title announced by former Vice President Mike Pence.
As the Space Force continues to monitor our cosmic neighborhood, the rediscovery of IRCB S73-7 showcases the careful watch they keep over orbit. For now, this story is a reminder of how even the most elusive objects can be found again, thanks to the unwavering vigilance of those on Earth.
