Boeing Satellite Disintegrates in Orbit, Confirmed as Total Loss

According to a report from Jalopnik, a communications satellite built by Boeing has broken apart while in orbit. Intelsat confirmed that its 33e satellite ceased functioning on Saturday, October 19, due to an “anomaly,” later declaring it a “total loss.” In a statement, Intelsat said, “We are working closely with the satellite manufacturer, Boeing, and relevant government agencies to analyze data and observations. A Failure Review Board has been established to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the anomaly. Since the incident, Intelsat has been in active discussions with affected customers and partners, with migration and service restoration plans already in progress across both the Intelsat fleet and third-party satellites.”

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US Space Force Confirms Satellite Breakup

The U.S. Space Force also confirmed the incident in a statement, saying, “U.S. Space Forces-Space (S4S) has verified the disintegration of Intelsat 33E (#41748, 2016-053B) in geostationary orbit on October 19, 2024, at approximately 0430 UTC. Currently, around 20 associated fragments are being tracked, with analysis ongoing. S4S has observed no immediate threats and continues to perform routine conjunction assessments to ensure the safety and sustainability of space operations.”

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Debris Count Uncertain as Tracking Continues

The exact number of debris pieces remains uncertain. According to Space News, satellite-tracking company ExoAnalytic Solutions is currently monitoring up to 57 fragments. Intelsat 33e was launched in 2016 to provide communications services across Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, shortly after launch, the satellite encountered a propulsion issue, delaying its arrival in orbit. A subsequent propulsion failure in 2017 further reduced its expected 15-year lifespan by 3.5 years.

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Boeing Faces Repeated Satellite Failures and Broader Criticism

In 2019, another Boeing-built satellite, Intelsat 29e, was also declared a “total loss” after just three years in space. The disintegration of the Intelsat 33e satellite occurs amidst growing scrutiny of Boeing. The company is already under pressure due to challenges with its Starliner mission and is also dealing with a criminal fraud charge related to the 737 Max plane crashes.

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