Intelsat 33e Break-up Highlights Growing Space Debris Threat

The break-up of Intelsat 33e in geostationary orbit has created a significant cloud of debris, raising concerns about the growing threat to space assets and highlighting the potential for malicious exploitation. Experts discuss the increasing capabilities of China in space and the implications for national security, particularly concerning Taiwan. The incident underscores the need for enhanced space situational awareness and proactive mitigation strategies.

The disintegration of Intelsat 33e in geostationary orbit (GEO) has exposed a significant vulnerability in the contested space domain, according to Clint Clark, ExoAnalytic Solutions chief growth officer. Speaking at the Spacepower Conference on December 10th, Clark revealed that his company has detected over 700 pieces of debris resulting from the October 19th incident.

Initially, ExoAnalytic Solutions identified 57 fragments, ranging in size from a softball to a car door. Within a week, this number ballooned to approximately 500. Clark cautioned, “If that happened and you were planning for it as a bad guy, you could deploy anything you wanted at GEO in the noise that created, and you’re gone, you are hidden” from detection.

Boeing is currently investigating the cause of the failure, marking the second such incident involving their EpicNG high-throughput satellites built for Intelsat. The first, Intelsat-29e, was deemed a total loss in 2019 due to a suspected meteoroid impact or wiring fault.

While Clark refrained from detailing how adversaries could exploit the increased debris, he did highlight China’s expanding space capabilities, including routine maneuvers and close-range satellite inspections in GEO. He stated, “China doesn’t sit still. They’re all over the sky.” ExoAnalytic Solutions has also observed “China practicing tactics that look like … direct-ascent threats to GEO,” he added.

Chief Master Sgt. Ronald Lerch, senior enlisted advisor at the U.S. Space Force Headquarters’ intelligence directorate, further emphasized the growth of China's satellite presence, increasing from 36 in 2010 to over a thousand. Lerch noted, “Norm-shattering behaviors have been enabled because of their ability to have space and what that’s able to offer their capabilities and their forces,” linking this to China’s actions concerning Taiwan.

Though the immediate collision risk from Intelsat-33e debris has lessened, ExoAnalytic Solutions continues to monitor the situation and reports that collision alerts have returned to normal levels after a significant initial spike.

Category:
Satellite news
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303
Date:
2024-12-11

Intelsat 33e Break-up Highlights Growing Space Debris Threat

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