1988 U.S. Spy Satellite 'Farrah III' Shatters in Low Earth Orbit
A defunct U.S. intelligence satellite, designated USA-32 and nicknamed 'Farrah III,' unexpectedly fragmented in low Earth orbit on September 13, 2026. Launched in 1988 to intercept Soviet signals, the spacecraft broke apart at an altitude of 775 kilometers, creating a debris cloud. While the U.S. Space Force reports no immediate threats to other spacecraft, the cause of the explosion remains unknown, with possibilities ranging from propellant failure to space debris impact.
