Boeing Satellite Disintegrates in Space Following Mysterious ‘Anomaly’

A Boeing-made satellite has disintegrated in orbit following an “anomaly,” leaving operators scrambling to restore service.

The satellite, Intelsat 33e, which was launched in 2016 with a projected 15-year lifespan, broke apart on Saturday, resulting in widespread communication and power outages across Europe, Africa, and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. Intelsat, the service provider, reported the incident on Monday and confirmed it is working with Boeing and government agencies to analyse the cause.

The U.S. Space Force is tracking around 20 pieces of debris from the satellite, but they assert that it does not pose any immediate threat. The full extent of the issue remains under investigation.

Boeing, already under scrutiny due to a series of safety concerns, including faults discovered on commercial planes and issues with its Starliner mission, has yet to publicly comment on the satellite’s failure. Meanwhile, more than 30,000 workers in Boeing’s commercial plane sector are striking over employee benefits and pay disputes.

Despite efforts to restore services through third-party providers, officials do not expect the Intelsat 33e satellite to be recoverable.