SpaceX recently encountered another setback in its Starlink satellite program as it lost contact with a satellite due to an ‘anomaly.’ While specifics of the incident remain undisclosed by SpaceX, space-tracking company Leo Labs reported detecting numerous objects near the affected satellite, Starlink 34343.
The event, occurring at an altitude of approximately 560km above Earth, sheds light on the challenges posed by the increasingly crowded low Earth orbit, which is home to over 24,000 tracked objects, including debris and around 10,000 Starlink satellites.
Despite the incident, SpaceX assured that it does not pose new risks to the International Space Station, its crew, or NASA’s upcoming Artemis II mission. The satellite and its fragments are anticipated to disintegrate in the atmosphere over the next few weeks.
This incident follows a similar occurrence in December, raising concerns about the integrity of satellite communication. SpaceX is actively investigating the root cause of these anomalies as it aims to maintain the reliability of its satellite network.
Notably, SpaceX had previously sought FCC approval for ‘up to one million satellites’ to establish orbital data centers, highlighting the company’s plans for expanding its satellite constellation. SpaceX’s president, Gwynne Shotwell, mentioned the FCC filing in a recent interview, emphasizing the company’s commitment to enhancing global connectivity through advanced satellite technology.
Source: The Verge