The COBE background radiation experiments are part of a continuous line of reasoning used in an attempt to descredit the ideas of Cambridge astronomer Fred Hoyle. He proposed the radiation is from small metallic particles distributed through space. The issue goes back to the big bang versus steady state universes. New evidence challenges Hubble's constant rate of expansion. Some parts of the universe are contracting. Others are expanding at variable rates.

Hoyle was descredited by NASA and establishment astronomy because he presented evidence that interstellar space is populated by encysted microbes, some of which have populated Earth and may continue to be carried to Earth via various infected space vehicles. Hence the need for cover-up and marginization of Hoyle's ideas.