148,000 Maneuvers: SpaceX Starlink Collision Avoidance Maneuvers Involving China
SpaceX reports that Starlink satellites performed over 148,000 collision avoidance maneuvers in six months, with many triggered by Chinese satellites like Honghu-2.
148,696 maneuvers. That's how many times SpaceX's Starlink fleet had to dodge potential collisions in just six months. As Earth's orbit gets more crowded, the operational burden on internet megaconstellations is reaching an all-time high.
Starlink's Collision Avoidance Maneuvers and the Chinese Impact
According to a report filed by SpaceX with the FCC on December 31, the company performed a massive number of avoidance maneuvers between June 1 and November 30 last year. A significant portion of these risks involved Chinese space assets.
The primary culprit identified was Hongqing Technology’s Honghu-2 satellite, which alone forced 1,143 maneuvers. This experimental satellite, launched in December 2023, has become a major headache for orbital traffic controllers. Out of the top 20 individual objects requiring adjustments, seven were from China, accounting for a total of 3,732 maneuvers.
Fuel Consumption and Shorter Satellite Lifespans
These maneuvers aren't just technical chores; they're expensive. Every time a Starlink satellite moves, it burns fuel, which directly shortens its operational lifespan. This orbital friction is fueling complaints from both the US and China regarding the safety of rival megaconstellations.
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