SpaceX Says Starlink Satellite Is Tumbling Toward Earth After Anomaly — International Space Station Not At Risk

• SpaceX said that the anomaly resulted in a loss of communications with the vehicle in addition to venting of the propulsion tank, and the release of a small number of trackable low relative velocity objects.
• SpaceX also said that it's already in the process of deploying software to its vehicles to better safeguard it against similar events.
• According to data from astronomer Jonathan McDowell, SpaceX has launched more than 10,000 Starlink satellites to space thus far.

SpaceX said on Thursday that one of its Starlink satellites experienced an anomaly in space and is now tumbling down to Earth.

The company said in a post on X that the satellite 35956 is now largely intact and tumbling. The satellite will reenter the Earth’s atmosphere and fully demise within weeks, the company said.

The satellite’s current trajectory will place it below the International Space Station and poses no risk to the orbiting space lab or its crew, the company added. SpaceX engineers are now working to identify the root cause of the incident which occurred on Wednesday.

Anomaly Cause And Mitigation

SpaceX said that the anomaly resulted in a loss of communications with the vehicle in addition to venting of the propulsion tank, and the release of a small number of trackable low relative velocity objects. SpaceX is working with the US Space Force and NASA to monitor the objects.

SpaceX also said that it's already in the process of deploying software to its vehicles to better safeguard it against similar events.

Starlink Expansion

Starlink, under SpaceX, is the world’s largest satellite constellation operator. According to data from astronomer Jonathan McDowell, SpaceX has launched more than 10,000 Starlink satellites to space thus far, of which over 9000 are working.

SpaceX uses its workhorse rocket Falcon 9 to launch its Starlink satellites to space. In December alone, the company launched 12 Starlink missions atop Falcon 9 in a bid to increase the satellite internet constellation in low-Earth orbit.

The anomaly announcement comes as SpaceX targets an initial public offering with a valuation of around $1.5 trillion in mid-to-late 2026 or 2027.  

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around SpaceX is trending in the ‘bullish’ territory coupled with ‘extremely high’ message volume. 

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