A Boeing-manufactured satellite, operated by Intelsat, suffered an unexpected demise this past weekend, sending shockwaves across the space industry.
The satellite, named IS-33e, encountered an ‘anomaly’ that led to its destruction while orbiting Earth.
According to Intelsat’s official statement, the incident has led to what they describe as a ‘total loss’ of the satellite.
This unexpected breakup has prompted significant response efforts.
Intelsat has reassured stakeholders by announcing that migration and service restoration plans are actively being implemented, utilizing both their fleet and third-party satellites.
The precise cause behind the IS-33e’s sudden breakup remains uncertain.
The US Space Force has confirmed it is tracking around 20 pieces of debris linked to the incident, but observes no immediate threat from them.
Meanwhile, ExoAnalytic Solutions, a space tracking company, claims to have identified up to 57 debris pieces associated with the satellite’s destruction.
This event once again underscores the inherent risks and the limited lifespan associated with satellites.
The threat from existing space debris continues to be a pressing concern, with potential to cause cascading collisions that could spell disaster for orbital operations.
Launched in 2016, the IS-33e weighed 14,600 pounds, roughly equivalent to the size of a minivan.
It was part of Boeing’s EpicNG platform and catered to broadband services across Europe, Africa, and much of Asia.
Unfortunately, this satellite isn’t the first from the series to encounter severe issues.
Its predecessor, IS-29e, succumbed to a propulsion system fuel leak in 2019, which was later linked to external forces like micrometeoroids or solar weather activity.
The fate of IS-33e had been under a cloud since its early mission days.
Notably, after its launch, the satellite was burning fuel at an unsustainable rate, which reduced its expected lifespan by 3.5 years, falling short of the anticipated 15-year mission lifespan.
By 2017, it had already faced delays in its orbit insertion, reportedly due to issues with the primary thruster responsible for altitude control.
This incident raises further dialogue within the space community surrounding the fragility of satellites and the growing peril posed by space debris.
As discussions and investigations continue, it underscores the unpredictable challenges faced by operators in the ever-evolving arena of space exploration and satellite operations.