SpaceX Starlink Satellite Plummets After Anomaly in Orbit

A Starlink satellite operated by SpaceX is falling toward Earth following a significant anomaly that resulted in a complete loss of communication. The company announced on March 15, 2024, that the satellite experienced unexpected behavior, dropping approximately 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) in altitude and generating a small debris field.

SpaceX reported that the satellite remains largely intact but is tumbling, with plans for it to reenter the atmosphere and disintegrate within weeks. The cause of the satellite’s tumbling is currently unknown, but the sudden drop in altitude and the presence of debris suggest the possibility of an explosion in orbit.

Tracking the Anomaly

According to LeoLabs, a company specializing in tracking orbital debris, the incident appears to have created several objects in the vicinity of the satellite. The organization indicated that the anomaly was likely the result of “an internal energetic source rather than a collision with space debris or another object.” As the number of satellites in orbit continues to rise, tracking these objects becomes increasingly challenging.

Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, who monitors orbital objects, noted that it is possible the satellite’s drop in altitude was due to erroneous data. He emphasized the need for follow-up observations to clarify what transpired.

Impact on Starlink Operations

Currently, there are more than 9,000 active Starlink satellites in orbit. SpaceX routinely launches new batches of these satellites as part of its ambitious plan to establish a constellation of up to 42,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. Typically, these satellites are designed to remain operational for around five to seven years, with one to two Starlink satellites descending back to Earth each day.

The recent anomaly, however, does not align with the standard operational lifecycle of the satellites. In a statement, SpaceX reassured stakeholders of its commitment to space safety, stating, “As the world’s largest satellite constellation operator, we are deeply committed to space safety. Our engineers are rapidly working to root cause and mitigate the source of the anomaly and are already in the process of deploying software to our vehicles that increases protections against this type of event.”

This incident follows closely on the heels of a near-collision between a Starlink satellite and a Chinese satellite, highlighting the growing concerns related to space congestion. SpaceX typically conducts around 300 maneuvers daily to avert collisions with other objects in orbit, a practice that may become increasingly critical as the number of satellites continues to expand.

As the situation develops, further investigations will shed light on the precise nature of the anomaly and the subsequent actions needed to enhance the safety of space operations.