Harvard scientist pushes back on NASA chief over mystery space object

Avi Loeb says 1998 KY26 could be a lost Soviet spacecraft, with a trajectory resembling that of Phobos 1, which lost contact in 1988.

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'not an asteroid'

SUMMARY

Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb says a mysterious object known as 1998 KY26 could be a lost Soviet spacecraft, challenging NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman’s assessment that it is an asteroid.

Loeb says the object’s acceleration cannot be explained by gravity alone and its trajectory resembles that of Phobos 1, which lost contact on its way to Mars in 1988. Other researchers have proposed natural explanations, including sunlight and heat.

Loeb acknowledges his theory is unproven. Japan’s Hayabusa2 spacecraft is expected to rendezvous with the object in 2031, potentially settling the question.