Another Starlink satellite has exploded in space, causing a loss of contact with SpaceX. This incident is significant because it highlights the risks associated with the increasing number of satellites in Earth's orbit. SpaceX suffered a similar episode in December when it lost contact with another Starlink satellite, which also seemingly exploded. The latest mishap occurred at an altitude of about 560km above the Earth, where over 24,000 objects, including debris and about 10,000 Starlink satellites, are currently being tracked.
SpaceX says it is working to determine the root cause of the anomaly, which affected the Starlink 34343 satellite. The company has assured that the event poses no new risk to the International Space Station, its crew, or to the upcoming launch of NASA's Artemis II mission. Space-tracking company Leo Labs detected tens of objects in the vicinity of the affected satellite after the event.
SpaceX's plans to launch up to one million satellites, as requested from the FCC in January, have raised concerns about the risks of space debris. The company's president and chief operating officer, Gwynne Shotwell, has expressed surprise that this request did not receive more attention.
