this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2024
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The Boeing-made Intelsat 33e satellite broke apart in orbit over the weekend. But company representatives don't yet know why.

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[–] Red_October@lemmy.world 40 points 2 days ago

Obviously the satellite was a whistleblower and this was just a tragic accident.

[–] Kyrgizion@lemmy.world 18 points 2 days ago

I wouldn't trust a Boeing condom at this point.

[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 14 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I really hope it just broke apart... because the alternative is that somebody has an anti-satellite weapon that is fairly discreet (not as obvious as a missile fired from the ground) and that they're willing to actively use.

[–] ramble81@lemm.ee 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Could also be the massive amount of space debris ripped it a new one

[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 3 points 1 day ago

Yeah, there's lots of stuff in orbit, and these are just the objects large enough to be tracked by radar. An impact from a small, fast-moving object is a completely rational explanation.

[–] Reddfugee42@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Occam's Razor - micrometeorite or space debris

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 3 points 2 days ago

Or just plain structural failure due to a design or manufacturing defect.

[–] Kbobabob@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] Comment105@lemm.ee 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

I remember watching a Tech Ingredients video where I think they did the math on space lasers, I think the conclusion was that it would be technically possible to significantly impact local earth surface temperature with one. (Might've been a degree or two extra for 10km² or something like that, with a huge satellite, maybe around the size of Hubble, or bigger.)

Of course, there's no reason to believe some politicians' insane ramblings about "Jewish Space Lasers".

Edit, found the video: https://youtu.be/-MVs37rxJL0?si=4Ztwq-FyOiB0uZqI

If the topic seems insane, the caveat at 31:50 should probably correct the tone. This man doesn't actually believe space lasers were used to start a big grass fire.

Also, I remembered all the numbers very wrong.

...so the front fell off?

[–] badbytes@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

They attempted to find and ask the quality control person at Boeing, but they were on extended leave.

[–] zurohki@aussie.zone 5 points 2 days ago

Boeing management should start calling their ex-girlfriends and begging them to take the curse off.

[–] Crackhappy@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago
[–] Allonzee@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Better cut some more jobs, that's bound to improve product quality!

[–] awholenewworld@leminal.space 2 points 2 days ago

Was it "Made By Boeing" sticker?

[–] Someonelol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 days ago

Could it be hydrazine setting off while its thrusters engaged maybe?

[–] troed@fedia.io 2 points 2 days ago
[–] Protoknuckles@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

I mean, I have a theory...

[–] I_Miss_Daniel@lemmy.world -2 points 2 days ago

You sunk my battleship? You bunked my satellite!

[–] Adderbox76@lemmy.ca -2 points 2 days ago

The answer is in the headline...