Starlink Satellite Anomalies Raise Concerns Over Space Debris

Recent anomalies involving SpaceX's Starlink satellites have sparked significant concerns regarding space debris and satellite safety. According to Gizmodo, one satellite lost communication and began tumbling toward Earth after dropping around 2.5 miles in altitude due to an unspecified anomaly.

SpaceX reported that this incident likely resulted from an internal explosion rather than a collision with other debris, leading to a small field of trackable debris, as outlined by Engadget. LeoLabs, which monitors orbital debris, confirmed the presence of multiple objects in the vicinity following the anomaly.

SpaceX is collaborating with NASA and the US Space Force to track the debris and has stated that the satellite poses no risk to the International Space Station. This incident follows another close call where a Starlink satellite nearly collided with a Chinese satellite, highlighting the growing challenges of space traffic management as the number of active Starlink satellites increases to over 9,300, making up about 65 percent of all operational spacecraft in orbit, according to Engadget.