Los Angeles: A Boeing-built satellite, Intelsat 33e, has broken apart in geostationary orbit, resulting in at least 20 fragments.
The satellite, which had been experiencing operational issues since its 2016 launch, faced a communication outage prior to the breakup event, though the exact cause remains unclear.
The satellite’s operator, Intelsat, has confirmed the “total loss” of iS-33e, which has affected customers in Europe, Africa and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
Intelsat said that, “We are coordinating with the satellite manufacturer, Boeing, and government agencies to analyse data and observations.”
Intelsat also says it has taken steps to complete “a comprehensive analysis” of the incident.
On October 19, Intelsat-33e lost its power source, resulting in a complete shutdown. Intelsat, headquartered in Luxembourg, is collaborating with Boeing, but the likelihood of restoring the satellite is low.
Meanwhile, Russia’s ASPOS OKP warning system detected approximately two dozen unidentified space objects near the satellite’s position. Preliminary analysis indicates that the closest satellites include Express-AT1, Yamal-402, Express-AM6, and Electro-L.
The U.S. Department of Defense‘s space-tracking site, SpaceTrack, confirmed the breakup of the Boeing satellite, indicating that the U.S. Space Forces are monitoring around 20 associated fragments. This alert highlights the ongoing efforts to track space debris and ensure safety in space operations.
Additionally, Boeing is facing a strike involving over 30,000 workers, with a union vote on a new offer that includes a 35% pay increase. The company is also seeking up to $35 billion in funding and plans to lay off 17,000 employees.
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