The Vela Incident: Did an American satellite detect a secret nuclear test in 1979?
The article explores the 1979 'Vela Incident,' where an American satellite detected a mysterious double flash in the South Atlantic. Experts continue to debate whether this event was a secret nuclear weapons test.
Why it matters
The incident remains a significant historical mystery regarding Cold War nuclear proliferation and the capabilities of satellite surveillance technology.
Satellites The Vela Incident: Did an American satellite detect a secret nuclear test in 1979? Features By Micah Hanks Published 8 September 2026 In this week's installment of Space Mysteries, we take a look at what we know and don't know about a possible secret nuclear detonation in the South Atlantic Ocean.
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