A debris field resulting from a Starlink satellite’s remnants is floating in space following a minor explosion that caused fragments to detach and disperse within Earth’s orbit. SpaceX announced the incident earlier this week, highlighting that it resulted in detectable debris, which includes the propulsion tank of the satellite and a largely intact body that continues to orbit. SpaceX indicates that the satellite is not in close proximity to the International Space Station (ISS) to pose a risk to astronauts and is expected to reenter the atmosphere and break apart within the upcoming week.

“As the largest operator of satellite constellations worldwide, we prioritize space safety. We regard these incidents seriously. Our engineers are quickly working to determine and address the cause of the anomaly, and we are already implementing software updates to our vehicles to bolster defenses against such occurrences,” stated SpaceX.

Earth’s orbit is filled with similar debris, prompting alarm among experts who caution that the growing accumulation of space junk could obstruct space initiatives, increase the likelihood of hazardous collisions, and elevate risks for individuals on the ground. Just last week, a SpaceX satellite and one from Chinese company CAS Space almost experienced a collision.

This anomaly comes on the heels of the launch of 27 fresh Starlink satellites into Earth’s orbit, representing the 580th deployment of the company’s Falcon 9 rocket since its inaugural successful launch in 2015 — it was the 162nd flight occurring in 2025 alone. Of the more than 10,000 Starlink satellites launched into orbit, about 9,300 remain operational.

The company owned by Elon Musk is persistently advancing its initiative to become the primary provider of rural broadband internet and emergency satellite communication services, which includes ongoing contracts with the U.S. government. SpaceX has opposed federal funding distributions for fiber internet access initiatives and has sought advantages from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to secure priority for satellite internet services over other broadband ventures.