Reports from the Institute of Applied Mathematics indicate that the American communication satellite Galaxy 11, operated in space, experienced a partial failure in orbit. The information is also carried by TASS through the MV Keldysh (IMP) of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The event underscores the ongoing concerns about space debris and the safety of active satellites in similar orbits.
According to the institute, Galaxy 11, which entered service after its launch in 1999, has become part of a broader discussion about orbital safety. Civilian optical instruments tracking the satellite have begun to observe several small fragments surrounding the craft. While these fragments do not constitute an immediate critical threat to manned missions, they are considered a potential hazard to satellites currently operating in stable, closely packed orbital regions. The monitoring effort aims to determine trajectories, sizes, and potential collision probabilities so that operators can adjust orbits if needed and minimize the risk to other assets in the same orbital belt.
The situation mirrors earlier incidents that have drawn attention to the risks posed by in-orbit fragmentation. There was a widely reported declaration from the United States about a past explosion in space involving a Russian upper stage in 2007, an event that created a debris field and impacted three GLONASS satellites that were in orbit at the time. The event remains a benchmark case for assessing debris generation, debris mitigation strategies, and the long-term impact on satellite constellations that rely on precise orbital maintenance and timing.
In April, updates emerged about another related issue: the spent second stage of the Soviet Kosmos-3M launch vehicle, together with an inoperative US meteorological satellite known as DMSP, avoided a potential collision in space. This development highlighted the evolving challenges of maintaining awareness of objects of various origins and velocities, and it underscored the importance of joint tracking programs and international cooperation to prevent near-misses that could escalate into more serious debris-related events.
Overall, the sequence of observations and analyses surrounding Galaxy 11, the 2007 GLONASS-related event, and the Kosmos-3M and DMSP proximity near-miss emphasizes the critical role of debris monitoring, satellite conjunction assessments, and timely maneuver planning. Space agencies and satellite operators continue to refine their methods for tracking small fragments, predicting orbital paths, and communicating hazard information to ensure consistency across national and international networks. The ongoing dialogue between observers, instrument teams, and decision-makers illustrates a collaborative approach to space traffic management that aims to preserve the utility of existing satellites while reducing the creation of new debris in the near-Earth environment (Institute of Applied Mathematics, TASS).