Close Call: Chinese Spacecraft Nearly Collides with Starlink Satellite

A Chinese spacecraft narrowly avoided a collision with a Starlink satellite last week, prompting serious concerns about space traffic management. The incident occurred after the launch of the Kinetica 1 rocket from the Jinquan Satellite Launch Center on December 9, which deployed nine satellites.

According to Michael Nicolls, vice president of Starlink engineering, one of these satellites came within 655 feet of a Starlink satellite, highlighting the dangers posed by inadequate communication between satellite operators.

Nicolls emphasized the need for better coordination, stating that the lack of shared ephemeris data can lead to dangerous close approaches in space. CAS Space, the operator of Kinetica 1, acknowledged the incident and noted their commitment to coordinate with satellite operators to enhance safety.

With the increasing congestion in low-Earth orbit, experts warn of the growing risk of Kessler Syndrome, where collisions could lead to a cascading effect of debris, making space operations perilous. Starlink satellites currently perform nearly 300 collision avoidance maneuvers daily, a figure that is expected to rise as more satellites are launched, raising alarm about the sustainability of current practices in space traffic management.

As SpaceX plans to ramp up Starlink deployments in the coming years, the urgency for improved safety protocols in low-Earth orbit becomes ever more critical.