SpaceX warns of rising satellite collision risks in orbit

SpaceX has issued a warning regarding the increasing risk of satellite collisions in low Earth orbit. The company reports that other satellite operators frequently change their flight paths without prior notification, making it difficult to predict and prevent dangerous close approaches.

During the International Astronautical Congress, Michael Nicolls, Senior Vice President of Starlink, called for greater transparency and the exchange of precise position and movement data among operators. SpaceX noted that approximately 164,000 close approaches between satellites were recorded in the last six months, many involving unannounced maneuvers by other parties.

SpaceX currently operates around 11,000 Starlink satellites. This year alone, the company recorded potential close approaches with about 650 other satellites, roughly half of which did not communicate their positions in advance. A recent incident in August highlighted these risks when a Starlink satellite came within 134 meters of another satellite.