A Boeing-made satellite exploded in orbit after experiencing an “anomaly” that led to its complete loss, operators reported Monday.
Intelsat, the service provider, said the satellite crashed on Saturday, causing communications and power outages to customers in Europe, Africa and parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
In a press release, Intelsat said it was working with embattled multinational Boeing and various government agencies to analyze the data and “complete the research process.” Comprehensive analysis From the cause of the anomaly.”
The satellite, called Intelsat 33e, was launched in 2016 and was supposed to be 15 years old.
The US Space Force issued an alert on its platform, Space pathConfirming the disintegration of Intelsat 33E, he said that agents are currently tracking “about 20 associated pieces” of debris from the satellite.
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The agency claims that the destruction of the Intelsat 33e satellite does not pose an immediate threat.

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The loss of the Intelsat 33e satellite is just one of the latest problems to plague Boeing, which has been battling bad press all year.
Earlier in 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration discovered several potential faults in Boeing commercial aircraft and ordered more safety measures in place. The investigation came after Boeing made international headlines when a door seal on a 737 MAX 9 exploded while it was in flight.

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Boeing has also been the subject of numerous whistleblower complaints about its safety record and internal standards and has faced federal investigations.
In June, a Boeing Starliner suffered a propulsion failure and helium leaks, which subsequently led to two astronauts being stranded on the International Space Station, where they remain today. Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams are expected to return to Earth in February 2025, although their original mission was only supposed to last eight days.
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More than 30,000 workers in Boeing’s commercial aircraft sector are currently on strike due to a union dispute with the company related to the loss of employee bonuses and pensions, as well as wage increases.
Boeing said it will begin laying off about 17,000 employees — about 10 percent of its workforce — in the coming months.
Boeing has not commented publicly on the unexplained breakup of the Intelsat 33e satellite.
Intelsat said service restoration plans are underway, adding that it is working with external service providers to mitigate service outages for customers.
Officials do not believe the satellite will be recoverable.
&Copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.