Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Starlink Satellite Loses Communication After Anomaly
A Starlink satellite named 35956 had a problem in space on December 17, 2025.
This problem caused it to lose contact with Earth and create some small pieces of debris.
The satellite is now tumbling and falling towards Earth, where it will burn up in the atmosphere within a few weeks.
Starlink is working with the US Space Force, NASA, and a company called LeoLabs to track the debris.
The problem seems to have been caused by something inside the satellite, not a collision with another object.
There are many satellites in space now, and people are talking about making better rules to keep them safe.
Starlink satellite 35956 experienced an anomaly on December 17, 2025, at 418 km altitude, creating a small number of debris and losing communication.
The satellite is largely intact but tumbling and will reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up within weeks.
The anomaly caused a 4 km drop in altitude, suggesting an internal explosion.
Starlink is working with the US Space Force, NASA, and LeoLabs to monitor the debris.
LeoLabs detected tens of debris pieces, with the possibility of more fragments being identified.
- Who
- Starlink (SpaceX)
- What
- Anomaly and debris creation from satellite 35956
- When
- December 17, 2025
- Where
- 418 km (259.73 miles) in altitude
- Why
- Internal problem, possibly an explosion
- Satellite
- Starlink 35956
- Altitude
- 418 km (259.73 miles)
- Debris
- Tens of trackable pieces
- Altitude Drop
- 4 km
- Reentry Time
- Within weeks
- Monitoring Agencies
- US Space Force, NASA, LeoLabs