Starlink reported an anomaly on satellite 35956 that caused a loss of communications at about 418 km altitude. The company said the vehicle is tumbling but largely intact and is expected to re‑enter and fully burn up within weeks. Starlink posted the update on X; no immediate hazards were reported.
Starlink Loses Contact With Satellite 35956; Vehicle Tumbling, Expected to Re‑enter in Weeks
SpaceX founder and Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks on a screen during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Nacho Doce
SpaceX's Starlink reported an anomaly on satellite 35956 that resulted in a loss of communications while the vehicle was at roughly 418 km (259.7 miles) altitude. According to a post by Starlink on X, the satellite remains largely intact but is tumbling. The company said the craft is expected to re‑enter Earth’s atmosphere and fully burn up within weeks.
"The satellite is largely intact, tumbling, and will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and fully burn up within weeks," Starlink wrote on X.
At this altitude, a tumbling small satellite typically experiences increased atmospheric drag that accelerates orbital decay. Starlink did not report any injuries or ground hazards and gave no indication of a planned recovery or remote fix. The update was first reported by Reuters.
Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City; editing credit to Reuters staff.
