SpaceX calls for better coordination in orbit after near-misses with Starlink

SpaceX is calling for improved data-sharing and better coordination among satellite operators after experiencing multiple near-misses in low-Earth orbit. Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s vice president for Starlink, issued the appeal on Tuesday at the International Astronautical Congress in Turkey. Nicolls said that other satellite operators have repeatedly maneuvered spacecraft without informing SpaceX or publishing their ephemeris data, which provides precise details on a satellite's location and movement.

These unannounced shifts resulted in close encounters ranging from tens to hundreds of meters. Starlink satellites currently perform about 1,000 collision avoidance maneuvers daily, including steering away from roughly 650 active satellites from other operators in recent months. The appeal highlights growing concerns over space traffic management as megaconstellations expand.

Starlink operates over 11,000 satellites, while competitors like Amazon and various international operators build out their own massive networks. Without global treaties requiring location broadcasts, safety depends entirely on voluntary norms and data-sharing. While SpaceX collaborates closely with some groups, such as the Chinese space station, Nicolls noted that nearly all Chinese satellite operators and several other international entities decline to publicly share their ephemeris data.

Amazon Leo head Rajeev Badyal stated that his company routinely coordinates launches and shares trajectory data with SpaceX