SpaceX Confirms Loss of Contact With Starlink Satellite After Rare Orbital Anomaly

New York / San Jose del Monte – SpaceX’s Starlink division has confirmed that it has lost communication with one of its satellites following an unexpected anomaly in low-Earth orbit, underscoring both the complexities of operating mega-constellations and the growing challenges of space traffic management.

According to an official post on the social platform X by Starlink, Satellite 35956, orbiting approximately 418 kilometers above Earth, experienced an unexplained malfunction on December 17, 2025. The event resulted in the loss of all communications with ground control and the release of a small number of trackable debris objects.

Starlink further stated that the spacecraft remains largely intact but is tumbling in its orbit and is now on a trajectory that will see it re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and completely disintegrate within a few weeks. The company emphasised that this decay path lies well below the altitude of the International Space Station and poses no risk to the orbiting laboratory or its crew.

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Response and Monitoring Efforts

SpaceX is coordinating closely with the U.S. Space Force’s space-tracking units and NASA to monitor the debris fragments released during the anomaly. While the exact number of pieces remains undisclosed, tracking authorities have detected multiple small objects likely resulting from the event.

Experts note that while orbital debris is a persistent concern in increasingly crowded low-Earth orbit, this incident appears minor compared to past breakups, such as the 2021 Intelsat satellite fragmentation which generated hundreds of traceable fragments.

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Context: Mega-Constellations and Orbital Risk

Starlink operates one of the largest satellite constellations in history, with nearly 10,000 satellites providing broadband internet services across the globe. As the scale of such networks expands, so too do the operational risks and the need for robust space traffic coordination.

In a separate but related development earlier this month, a newly launched Chinese spacecraft passed within just 200 meters of a Starlink satellite — a near-collision that reignited debate over the need for enhanced data sharing and coordinated orbital management among satellite operators worldwide.

SpaceX said engineers are actively investigating the root cause of the anomaly and are rolling out software protections across the constellation to mitigate similar events in the future. The company reaffirmed its commitment to space safety and responsible orbital operations as it continues to support millions of users relying on Starlink’s broadband connectivity.

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Industry Implications

While Starlink’s built-in redundancy and the sheer size of the constellation mean that the loss of a single satellite is unlikely to affect overall service, the incident highlights how even the most sophisticated systems can be vulnerable to unforeseen failures in the harsh environment of space.

As low-Earth orbit becomes ever more populated — with commercial, civil, and governmental satellites vying for limited orbital real estate — experts warn that enhanced global coordination protocols and real-time trajectory exchange may be essential to prevent an escalation of debris and collision risks.

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