←back to thread

Intelsat 33e breaks up in geostationary orbit

(spacenews.com)
157 points milgrim | 1 comments | 21 Oct 24 14:09 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
Show context
ThrowawayTestr ◴[21 Oct 24 14:38 UTC] No.41904665[source]▶
How does a satellite break up in orbit? Was it struck by something?
replies(11): >>41904744 #>>41904758 #>>41904760 #>>41904768 #>>41904869 #>>41904890 #>>41904894 #>>41904902 #>>41905343 #>>41906446 #>>41906890 #
1. pdabbadabba ◴[21 Oct 24 14:46 UTC] No.41904758[source]▶
For a satellite in a stable GEO orbit, I think there are basically two possibilities:

1. Collision with other debris

2. Internal fault causing uncontrolled release of stored energy (i.e., explosion)

Intelsat-29e used the same satellite bus and experienced #2, in the form of some sort of uncontrolled propellant release.