The cause of the breakup remains uncertain, but it is not the first satellite failure, with past incidents involving both deliberate destruction and accidental collisions.

The loss of Intelsat 33e is reportedly not covered by insurance, as policies were canceled following previous claims related to operational difficulties.

Typically, geostationary satellites have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, but IS-33e's operational challenges have raised concerns about its reliability.

As the use of space expands, there is an urgent need for improved tracking technology and strategies to minimize future debris generation.

Intelsat 33e, a satellite in the EpicNG broadband series, lost power in geostationary orbit and ceased communications services as of October 19.

Launched in August 2016, IS-33e began service in January 2017 but faced delays due to propulsion issues that ultimately reduced its expected lifespan.

The U.S. Space Force confirmed the breakup and is monitoring the debris, assuring that there are currently no immediate threats to other spacecraft.

Intelsat 33e was positioned approximately 35,000 km above the Indian Ocean and provided broadband communication services to customers in Europe, Africa, and parts of the Asia-Pacific.

Intelsat is actively communicating with affected customers and assessing its fleet capacity to mitigate service interruptions caused by the loss of IS-33e.

Initial reports indicated that the satellite experienced a sudden power loss, leading to its fragmentation into at least 20 pieces, which are now being tracked by the U.S. Space Force.

While collisions in geostationary orbit are less common than in low Earth orbit, the limited maneuverability of GEO satellites increases the risk posed by growing debris.

Following the satellite's breakup, Intelsat announced that recovery is unlikely and is working with Boeing to address the situation.