It comes on the heels of a related occurrence from December.
It comes on the heels of a related occurrence from December.
SpaceX has reported losing connection with a Starlink satellite following an “anomaly.” While SpaceX remains vague about the specifics, space-monitoring firm Leo Labs states it “immediately detected dozens of objects surrounding” Starlink 34343 post-incident.
“Recent findings indicate that the situation presents no additional threat to the @Space_Station, its crew, or the forthcoming launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission,” states SpaceX in a post on X. “We will keep an eye on the satellite alongside any identifiable debris and coordinate efforts with @NASA and the @USSpaceForce.”
The satellite and its debris are anticipated to disintegrate upon entering the atmosphere in a few weeks. SpaceX is currently analyzing the cause.
SpaceX experienced a comparable incident in December when it unexpectedly lost contact with a satellite that also appeared to have exploded. This event occurred merely a week following a close encounter with a Chinese satellite.
The latest incident took place at approximately 560km above Earth in a congested region referred to as low Earth orbit, where over 24,000 objects, including debris and around 10,000 Starlink satellites, are being monitored.
In January, SpaceX sought approval from the FCC for “up to one million satellites” to establish orbital data centers. “We have recently submitted a request for FCC authorization for as many as one million AI satellites,” noted SpaceX’s president and COO Gwynne Shotwell in a recent Time article. “I’m surprised that didn’t garner more attention. I thought it would definitely make headlines.”
Well, Gwynne, here we are, just as SpaceX is gearing up for a record-breaking IPO.
