A Starlink satellite from SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, was damaged in orbit, releasing some debris.
SpaceX said on the 18th (local time) on its X account that "Starlink satellite No. 35956 experienced an anomaly and lost communications," adding, "The anomaly caused a propellant tank to vent gas, and some trackable objects were released." The company is working with the U.S. Space Force and NASA to monitor the objects.
SpaceX said the satellite is expected to reenter the atmosphere within weeks and fully burn up. But space-tracking company LeoLabs detected dozens of fragments, which could pose a threat to other satellites. Experts warn that collision risks are increasing as the number of satellites in space surges.
SpaceX said it is "deeply committed to space safety," and that engineers are identifying the cause of the anomaly and rolling out software to strengthen protections.