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| Starlink lasers for data transfer. |
With Starlink's satellite constellation now exceeding a staggering 9,000 units—all performing complex orbital maneuvers in the crowded expanse of space—many experts have been waiting for the first significant mishap. This week, it happened.
SpaceX has reported what it calls the first major "anomaly" involving a Starlink satellite, an event that forced the spacecraft to vent its argon propulsion tank and sent it tumbling uncontrollably through orbit. What is now essentially high-tech space debris—or, in the sanitized language of the company, "the release of a small number of trackable low relative velocity objects"—could be a harbinger of challenges to come. This incident arrives as SpaceX aggressively launches more satellites, aiming to transform Starlink into a global cell phone carrier. Their ambitious goal is to beam a true 5G network from space, delivering speeds up to 100 Mbps directly to unmodified smartphones like the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
The cause of the failure remains a mystery. In a statement, SpaceX noted it is investigating the "anomaly on satellite 35956"—a designation that sounds more like the title of a sci-fi thriller than a routine mission report. The company moved to calm concerns, particularly for those aboard the International Space Station, by assuring the public that the stricken satellite is on a path that will not intersect with the ISS.
"The satellite's current trajectory will place it below the ISS, posing no risk to the orbiting lab or its crew," SpaceX stated. While this non-threatening path appears to be entirely coincidental, it offers little long-term comfort. The satellite is now completely uncontrollable and is expected to remain so for weeks until it eventually succumbs to atmospheric drag, re-enters, and burns up.
SpaceX engineers are currently scouring data to determine the root cause of the failure. You can read the initial acknowledgment of the event in a post on X from the official Starlink account.
As the investigation continues, the broader context adds urgency to this incident. The White House has recently announced plans to fund and build a successor to the aging International Space Station, ensuring a continued human presence in low-Earth orbit. Simultaneously, Starlink is actively seeking regulatory approval to launch an additional 15,000 "V3 Mini" direct-to-cell satellites. These next-generation models are colossal, with their solar arrays unfurled to the wingspan of a Boeing 737, making the orbital environment more congested than ever.
For consumers eagerly awaiting seamless global connectivity from their pocket, the technology promises a revolution. Imagine the capabilities of a flagship device like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, connected anywhere on Earth without a traditional cellular tower.
Yet, this single satellite anomaly highlights the growing risks associated with the rapid commercialization of space. As constellations swell into the tens of thousands, the probability of collisions and malfunctions increases exponentially. Each piece of new debris, whether a whole satellite or a "trackable object," becomes a potential hazard for other spacecraft, creating a cascade risk known as the Kessler Syndrome.
The race for space-based internet and phone service is undeniably on, bringing profound benefits. However, the uncontrolled tumble of satellite 35956 serves as a stark reminder that sustainable innovation must go hand-in-hand with rigorous safety and debris mitigation protocols. The path to a connected sky is promising, but it must be navigated with extreme care.