Space Force Tracks Debris From Satellite That Exploded in Orbit: Cause ‘Unknown’ Says Agency

A second generation TDRS satellite, delivered by Boeing, designed, built, and tested to provide service for 11 years in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO). NASA

The U.S. Space Force is continuing to track debris from a Boeing satellite that reportedly exploded last week, affecting communications services across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region.

After almost eight years in orbit, Boeing’s Intelsat 33E satellite broke up in orbit on Oct. 19, its operator and the U.S. Space Force have confirmed.