SpaceX has reported a loss of control over its Starlink satellite, designated Starlink 35956, which is currently descending back to Earth due to an anomaly. The incident involved a sudden drop in communication, a decrease in altitude, the venting of the propulsion tank, and the release of a small number of trackable objects. These factors suggest that the anomaly may have been caused by an explosion. SpaceX has stated that this situation does not pose a threat to the International Space Station (ISS) and that the satellite is expected to burn up in the atmosphere within a few weeks.
According to space-tracking company Leo Labs, the event involving Starlink 35956 was likely due to an internal energetic source rather than a collision with another object. Leo Labs noted that its radar network detected multiple objects surrounding the satellite following the incident.
The occurrence took place at an altitude of 418 kilometers (approximately 260 miles), a region known as low Earth orbit, which is becoming increasingly congested with over 24,000 tracked objects, including satellites and debris.
Looking ahead, estimates suggest that by the end of this decade, the number of operational satellites in low Earth orbit could reach as high as 70,000. This growth will primarily come from space internet constellations, including Starlink, launched by various private and governmental entities in the United States, China, and Europe. The increasing density of satellites raises concerns regarding potential collisions, which could lead to a cascading effect of debris in space.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/847891/a-starlink-satellite-seems-to-have-exploded