A large communications satellite, Intelsat 33e, has fragmented in orbit, adding to the alarming increase in space debris.
The satellite, which provided broadband communication across Europe, Central Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, was operating in geostationary orbit approximately 35,000 km above the Indian Ocean.
This incident highlights the growing problem of orbital debris that surrounds Earth.
The breakup occurred on October 20, after Intelsat 33e experienced an abrupt loss of power.
Hours later, the US Space Force confirmed that the satellite had broken up into at least 20 fragments. Although investigations are underway, the exact cause of the incident remains unclear.
With more satellites heading into space, the question of managing the hazards of orbital debris is becoming increasingly urgent.
The mystery behind Intelsat 33e’s demise
As of now, there are no confirmed reports on what caused the disintegration of Intelsat 33e. This satellite is no stranger to operational challenges.
Manufactured by Boeing and launched in August 2016, Intelsat 33e was designed to offer broadband communication services. However, it faced numerous issues during its operational life.
In 2017, the satellite reached its intended orbit three months later than planned due to a malfunction in its primary thruster, a component essential for altitude control and acceleration.
This malfunction triggered a series of complications, including excessive fuel consumption during manoeuvres designed to maintain its position in orbit. As a result, Intelsat 33e’s mission was expected to end prematurely in 2027, 3.5 years earlier than intended. The company filed a $78 million insurance claim to cover the losses caused by these problems.
However, it was revealed that at the time of the satellite’s breakup, Intelsat 33e was not insured. While the company continues its investigation into what went wrong, it is uncertain whether the exact cause will ever be determined.
A similar Intelsat satellite, also built by Boeing, failed in 2019, raising questions about the reliability of these satellites.
What is certain is that the debris generated by the breakup of Intelsat 33e will pose a significant challenge for the future. This is part of a broader and growing issue with space junk.
The increasing weight of space junk
Space debris is becoming a serious concern for space agencies and satellite operators worldwide.
According to estimates from the European Space Agency (ESA), more than 40,000 objects larger than 10 cm are currently in orbit around Earth, alongside a staggering 130 million smaller pieces of debris.
The total mass of human-made objects in orbit is now around 13,000 tonnes, which is equivalent to about 90 blue whales, one of the largest animals on Earth.
A third of this mass, some 4,300 tonnes, is debris—remnants of old satellites, defunct spacecraft, and discarded rocket stages.
Tracking and monitoring space debris is a difficult task, especially at higher altitudes such as the 35,000 km geostationary orbit where Intelsat 33e was operating.
The satellite’s breakup likely produced debris too small to be detected by current ground-based tracking systems.
Recent months have seen a worrying string of satellite breakups, both controlled and accidental, adding to the mounting orbital debris problem.
In June, for example, the RESURS-P1 satellite fractured at an altitude of 470 km, releasing over 100 pieces of trackable debris. This number only accounts for larger fragments; many more, too small to track, are likely floating in space.
Another incident occurred in July when the Defence Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) 5D-2 F8 satellite broke apart.
August saw the upper stage of a Chinese Long March 6A rocket fragment, generating at least 283 pieces of detectable debris. Unseen, however, are the hundreds of thousands of tiny fragments these events produce, posing a significant risk to other spacecraft.
Accountability in Space
The question of responsibility for space debris is not straightforward. According to the 1972 Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, the country that launched an object into space bears the responsibility for it.
However, proving fault and enforcing accountability is often challenging.
The first fine related to space debris was imposed in 2023 when the US Federal Communications Commission penalised a satellite operator for failing to de-orbit an old satellite. Whether a similar penalty will be imposed on Intelsat for the breakup of its satellite remains to be seen.
What the future holds
As human activities in space increase, the issue of orbital debris will only worsen. Thousands of new satellites are being launched into orbit, and without proper planning and debris management, space will become increasingly congested.
One potential solution involves de-orbiting satellites at the end of their operational lives to prevent them from becoming debris.
In September, the European Space Agency successfully de-orbited its Cluster 2 "Salsa" satellite, ensuring it burned up in the Earth's atmosphere. This controlled re-entry serves as a model for future satellite retirements.
But what about larger objects? NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office has calculated that the International Space Station (ISS) would produce more than 220 million fragments if it were to break apart.
Recognising this risk, plans are already in place to de-orbit the ISS in a controlled manner when it reaches the end of its operational life in 2030.
SpaceX has been awarded the contract to ensure the station is safely brought down, avoiding the creation of catastrophic debris.
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