US Space Force Confirms Mystery Break Up of Cold War-Era 'Spy Satellite'
Summary
The U.S. Space Force confirmed that an old American spy satellite, called USA 32, broke into many pieces while orbiting the Earth in September 2024. The military is still investigating why it fell apart but said there is no immediate danger from the debris.Key Facts
- The USA 32 satellite, launched in 1988 during the Cold War, broke apart on September 13, 2024.
- It was orbiting in low-Earth orbit, about 2,000 kilometers or less above the planet.
- The cause of the satellite breaking up is unknown, and analysis continues.
- Space debris from broken satellites can pose risks to other active spacecraft.
- In June 2024, astronauts on the International Space Station had to take shelter when a Russian satellite fragmented.
- More than 9,000 metric tons of space junk currently orbit Earth, including old satellites and rocket parts.
- The European Space Agency warns that crowded orbits increase the chance of collisions in space.
- New satellite groups, like Starlink, add to crowded orbits, and many old satellites do not leave orbit after their missions end.
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