Cold War spy satellite USA-32 breaks apart in orbit

The NRO signals-intelligence satellite USA-32 (FARRAH III), launched in 1988, fragmented on September 13, 2026, at roughly 775 km altitude. The cause is unknown, and the debris is being tracked for collision risk with active spacecraft.

• USA-32 launched on September 5, 1988, aboard a Titan II SLV
• Breakup occurred on September 13, 2026, at about 2113 UTC
• Debris dispersed across its orbital track within three days
• Cause unidentified; no immediate threat to other satellites