On December 17, 2025, Starlink — SpaceX’s global satellite-internet service — reported that one of its satellites, Starlink 35956, experienced a significant in-orbit anomaly while operating at an altitude of about 418 km (260 miles) above Earth. The event resulted in the loss of communications with the spacecraft and triggered changes in its orbital path and condition, according to official company statements and reports from Reuters and Space.com.
According to Starlink’s statement, the anomaly led to venting of the satellite’s propulsion tank, which caused a rapid decrease in its semi-major axis of approximately 4 km and the release of a small number of trackable, low-relative-velocity objects. This sequence of events indicates a propulsion-system failure that altered the satellite’s trajectory. SpaceX is working closely with the U.S. Space Force and NASA to monitor these trackable objects and ensure they pose no hazard to operational spacecraft.
Despite the malfunction, Starlink says the satellite is largely intact but now tumbling in orbit. Its current trajectory places it below the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS), so it poses no risk to the station or its crew. The company expects the satellite will reenter Earth’s atmosphere and fully burn up within a matter of weeks as atmospheric drag continues to lower its orbit.
SpaceX emphasized its commitment to space safety and responsible constellation operations, noting that such events are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. Engineers are working to identify the root cause of the anomaly and are deploying software updates across the Starlink fleet designed to enhance protections and reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
This incident highlights some of the operational risks inherent in managing a mega-constellation with thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit. Although Starlink routinely conducts collision-avoidance maneuvers and works with space-tracking authorities to minimize debris risks, occasional failures can still occur. From a safety perspective, the event appears contained: the satellite will disintegrate upon reentry, and the debris released remains minimal and monitored.
Overall, while this anomaly is noteworthy, it does not represent a systemic failure within the Starlink constellation and does not compromise service for users. SpaceX’s transparency about the event and its coordination with government tracking agencies reflect the growing emphasis on orbital safety practices as satellite deployments continue to accelerate globally.
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