A Russian satellite designed to spy on other spacecraft has reportedly broken apart in a high-altitude orbit above Earth. This satellite, known as Luch/Olymp, was launched in 2014. It was part of a pair of secret military satellites used to monitor U.S. and other international satellites in the geostationary belt, which is about 22,236 miles above the equator. Recently, the Luch/Olymp satellite was decommissioned and moved to a “graveyard” orbit in October 2025, just above the active satellites.
On January 30, 2026, images from Swiss company s2A Systems captured the moment of disintegration. The satellite was seen breaking apart and creating additional debris around it. This event occurred at 06:09 GMT, and those interested in space events could find footage of the fragmentation circulating on social media.
Astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell shared insights with Space.com, suggesting that the satellite may have been struck by space debris, raising concerns about safety in the already crowded regions of space. He noted that since Luch/Olymp had been retired, it shouldn’t have contained any active energy sources, such as fuel or batteries.
McDowell also pointed out that if debris caused the fragmentation, it highlights the growing problem of space debris in geostationary orbits. According to a 2022 report from the European Space Agency, there are over 36,500 pieces of debris over 10 cm in size orbiting the Earth, with many more smaller fragments untracked. Factors like the increasing number of satellites could worsen this situation.
While Luch/Olymp has met its end, Russia still has another similar satellite in operation, having launched a new Luch/Olymp satellite in 2023. Countries like Russia, the U.S., and China have increasingly relied on these types of satellites to monitor one another’s activities in space.
In a time where space activity is rising, the risk of collision and the resulting debris presents a significant challenge for future satellite missions and safety in space. The fragmentation of Luch/Olymp serves as a reminder of the importance of monitoring and managing space environments responsibly.
For those looking for more details on tracking space debris, check out the European Space Agency’s Space Debris website.
