SpaceX Claims Collision Risk with Chinese Satellite for Starlink

SpaceX has raised concerns regarding a potential collision risk between its Starlink satellite, STARLINK-6079, and a satellite deployed by China. According to the report from PCMag, the close approach occurred at an altitude of 560 kilometers, with a distance of just 200 meters, or 656 feet, separating the two satellites.

SpaceX's safety engineer, Nicolls, stated that there was no coordination or deconfliction performed with existing satellites, which is critical as the number of satellites in orbit increases significantly.

In 2020, there were fewer than 3,400 functional satellites in orbit, while that number has now surged to approximately 13,000, with SpaceX operating nearly 9,300 Starlink satellites alone. The company has conducted over 145,000 avoidance maneuvers in just the first six months of 2025, averaging around four maneuvers per satellite each month.

However, the lack of shared trajectory data from other satellite operators poses a challenge, as collisions could lead to catastrophic debris clouds, further complicating space traffic management. The Chinese launch provider, CAS Space, responded by stating that their responsibility ends once satellites are deployed, indicating they have no control over subsequent maneuvers.

Astronomer and satellite tracking expert Jonathan McDowell noted that the response from CAS Space seemed reasonable, but emphasized the need for improved coordination among satellite operators, especially as Earth’s orbit becomes increasingly congested.

This situation highlights the growing complexities of managing space traffic and the potential dangers posed by the increasing number of satellites and space debris.