The incident involving the Intelsat 33e satellite, launched in 2016, aimed to provide communication services across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
According to a press release from Intelsat, the incident occurred on October 19 when the satellite experienced a technical failure, and repair efforts in collaboration with Boeing were unsuccessful. By October 21, the U.S. Space Force confirmed that the satellite had exploded.
Intelsat EpicNG satellite manufactured by Boeing. (Source: Boeing).
This incident has led to many customers of Intelsat experiencing power losses or disruptions in communication services. The company is currently coordinating with third-party providers to mitigate the impact and maintain communication with customers to address the issue.
The U.S. Space Force has reported that they are monitoring approximately 20 pieces of debris from the satellite and confirmed that there is “no direct threat” to space safety, while continuing to conduct regular assessments.
Meanwhile, the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, noted over 80 pieces of debris from the explosion and determined that the satellite’s destruction occurred instantly with high energy.
This incident comes at a time when Boeing is under public scrutiny regarding its manufacturing issues. Previously, the company faced a series of incidents related to aircraft, with accusations from insiders and is currently facing federal investigations.
For example, two astronauts were stranded on the International Space Station after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft malfunctioned, preventing them from returning to Earth. They are expected to return in early 2025.
Also this week, Boeing reported a third-quarter loss of over $6 billion. Earlier in October, the company’s new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, announced plans to cut about 10% of the workforce. Currently, tens of thousands of Boeing workers are still on strike to protest working conditions.
The explosion of the Intelsat 33e satellite is not just a technical failure but also raises deeper concerns about Boeing’s capabilities and safety in its manufacturing processes.
