Boeing-Built Intelsat 33e Satellite Disintegrates in Orbit, Disrupting Global Services
A critical communications satellite built by Boeing has disintegrated while in orbit, according to its operator, Intelsat. The Intelsat 33e satellite experienced an unexpected anomaly on Saturday, resulting in a loss of power and interruption of services to customers across Europe, Africa, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
Intelsat announced on Monday that the anomaly led to the total loss of the satellite. “We are coordinating with the satellite manufacturer, Boeing, and government agencies to analyze data and observations,” the company stated. A Failure Review Board has been convened to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the cause of the anomaly.
In response to the outage, Intelsat assured its customers that migration and service restoration plans are well underway utilizing the Intelsat fleet and third-party satellites. The company is working diligently to minimize service disruptions and restore connectivity to affected regions.
The U.S. Space Force (USSF) confirmed the breakup of the Intelsat 33e satellite in geostationary orbit, reporting that it is currently tracking around 20 associated pieces of debris. The USSF added that no immediate threats have been observed and that it continues to perform routine conjunction assessments to support the safety and sustainability of the space domain.
Launched in August 2016 and entering service in January 2017, Intelsat 33e was designed and manufactured by Boeing Space Systems. The satellite was a key component of Intelsat’s high-throughput satellite fleet, providing vital communication services to various regions around the globe.
The disintegration of Intelsat 33e raises concerns about space debris and the reliability of satellites crucial for global communications. Analysts and industry experts will be closely monitoring the findings of the Failure Review Board to understand the implications for future satellite operations and orbital safety.
As businesses and communities increasingly rely on satellite communications, incidents like this highlight the importance of robust backup systems and the need for continued innovation in satellite technology to prevent similar occurrences.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
