SpaceX reported losing communication with one of its Starlink satellites on Sunday after the spacecraft encountered technical difficulties while orbiting approximately 347 miles above Earth. The company emphasized that this malfunction creates no danger to ongoing space operations.
The timing is notable as NASA prepares for the possible April 1 launch of its Artemis II mission, which will mark the first time astronauts have flown on the agency’s ambitious program to return humans to lunar surface within the decade.
In a Monday statement posted on X, Starlink confirmed that their analysis indicates the satellite problem creates no additional danger to the International Space Station, its astronauts, or NASA’s upcoming Artemis II launch.
The company stated it will keep tracking satellite 34343 and any debris that can be monitored, while maintaining coordination with both the U.S. Space Force and NASA.
Starlink announced it is collaborating with SpaceX to actively “determine root cause and will rapidly implement any necessary corrective actions.”
The satellite issue also did not impact Monday morning’s successful Falcon 9 Transporter-16 mission, which was created to place various payloads either above or below where Starlink satellites operate, according to the company.
SpaceX, under the ownership of Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, is preparing for a public stock offering that analysts believe could reach a valuation of $1.75 trillion, potentially setting records as the biggest initial public offering ever completed.
