An aging United States spy satellite has suddenly exploded in space under mysterious circumstances, raising fresh concerns over the safety of other vital communication and internet satellites operating in Earth's orbit.

According to the US military, the satellite, designated USA 32, was in low Earth orbit when it abruptly broke apart on September 13. Launched into space in 1988, the satellite was known under the code name 'Farah Three' during the Cold War era. After nearly 38 years in space, the long-outdated satellite's sudden explosion has puzzled experts.

The United States is continuing its investigation to determine the exact cause of the blast. However, Spaceweather.com, led by space scientist Tony Phillips, has suggested the explosion may have been triggered by a pressurized tank or a battery bursting inside the satellite.

The satellite was positioned in a busy orbit, so a collision with space debris or a meteoroid cannot be ruled out. If that proves to be the cause, satellites providing telecommunications, internet services, GPS navigation, weather forecasting, and military communications could face severe risk.

Phillips noted that more than 200 satellites, including the active satellites of the IRIS NEXT constellation, are operating in very close proximity around that specific altitude. If the explosion was caused by space debris, it could bring a major disaster for the remaining satellites in the orbit.

A CNN report found no evidence that the spy satellite was deliberately targeted by an anti-satellite weapon. Earlier, in 2021, the Russian military successfully destroyed an old Soviet satellite with a missile, drawing widespread international criticism.

Source: Daily Mail