A communications satellite designed and built by embattled aerospace giant Boeing has broken up in orbit.
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 also says it has taken steps to complete “a comprehensive analysis” of the incident.
Boeing has been facing crises on multiple fronts, with a strike at its commercial plane business and issues with its Starliner spacecraft.
An alert on the platform said the US Space Forces also said it is “currently tracking around 20 associated pieces” of the satellite.
Space junk is flying all over the place above our planet at super-high speed. Even a small fleck of paint is moving faster than a bullet and can do serious damage. If the satellite got hit by something bigger, it could lead to a complete structural failure. I’m guessing things like the solar wind would take care of the rest.
I could also have been foul play. We are going to see more of that in the near future.
I’m not sure chickens can make it into orbit unless they’re frozen first.
I’m suspecting you of fowl play here!
bagErk!
Possibly, but considering where it says it is serving, it would be an odd target IMO.