SpaceX confirmed a Starlink satellite malfunctioned and exploded earlier this week, creating a trackable debris field in low Earth orbit. The satellite, identified as Starlink 35956, vented its propulsion tank and released multiple objects before beginning an uncontrolled descent.
The company reported the anomaly involves "venting of the propulsion tank" and "release of a small number of trackable low relative velocity objects." SpaceX engineers are investigating the cause of what appears to be an internal explosion aboard the spacecraft.
SpaceX stated the satellite will reenter Earth's atmosphere within weeks and poses no danger to the International Space Station or its crew. The company confirmed the satellite's trajectory places it below the ISS, avoiding collision risks with the orbiting laboratory.
Private space-monitoring firm Leo Labs detected "tens of objects" near the affected spacecraft. The company described the likely cause as an internal energy source, indicating no collision with another object triggered the anomaly.
The failure occurred roughly one week after SpaceX disclosed a Starlink satellite narrowly avoided collision with a Chinese spacecraft. That incident highlighted growing congestion in low Earth orbit, where more than 24,000 objects are currently tracked.
The disabled Starlink satellite was orbiting at 418 kilometers (260 miles) altitude in low Earth orbit. This region has become one of the busiest environments in space, hosting active satellites, defunct spacecraft, and debris.
SpaceX has launched more than 10,000 Starlink satellites since beginning the constellation, with approximately 9,300 still active. According to researchers cited by Futurism, the company is losing one to two satellites per day, representing over 60 percent of all active satellites currently orbiting Earth.
Industry projections suggest the number of satellites could reach 70,000 by the end of the decade. This growth is fueled by large-scale internet constellations including SpaceX's Starlink and competing networks from Amazon and Chinese state-backed companies.
Researchers recently introduced a new metric called the "Collision Realization and Significant Harm (CRASH) Clock" to quantify orbital collision risks. The metric shows collision risks have increased dramatically since the megaconstellation era began.
In 2018, the CRASH Clock measured 121 days before a potential catastrophic collision if satellites lost avoidance capabilities. Current estimates suggest that window has shrunk to just 2.8 days under similar conditions.
The Kessler syndrome theory, first proposed by NASA researcher Donald Kessler in 1978, warns that a single collision could trigger cascading debris events. Such an event could render key orbital bands unusable for years and complicate future space exploration.
SpaceX engineers are developing software updates to increase protections against similar anomalies. The company stated it is "deeply committed to space safety" as the world's largest satellite constellation operator.
The incident comes as SpaceX continues expanding its direct-to-cell satellite network, with plans to launch 15,000 additional satellites. Each V3 satellite measures approximately the size of a Boeing 737 when fully unfurled in orbit.
Astronomers and safety analysts have warned that dense satellite traffic increases collision likelihoods. They also note satellite constellations disrupt astronomical observations and may release harmful pollutants during atmospheric reentry.
For now, SpaceX says the remains of Starlink 35956 will safely disintegrate during atmospheric reentry. The episode has intensified discussions about orbital management as commercial operators expand broadband services from space.
