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Collision Avoidance Maneuvers

All articles tagged with #collision avoidance maneuvers

space-technology2 years ago

"Declining Close Encounters: Starlink Satellites Defy Growth Trend"

Despite the rapid growth of the Starlink satellite constellation, the number of collision avoidance maneuvers has not increased in the past six months, according to SpaceX's latest report to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. While this is seen as good news, experts caution that it may be a temporary deviation from a longer-term upward trend. The decrease in avoidance maneuvers is attributed to natural variability and improvements in satellite positioning data. However, with more satellites planned to launch in the coming years, experts expect the number of avoidance maneuvers to rise. SpaceX currently operates over 5,250 Starlink satellites, with plans to expand to over 40,000, and experts emphasize the importance of accurate data sharing and collaboration among spacecraft operators to ensure safe operations in space.

via Space.com|
#collision-avoidance-maneuvers#satellites#space-debris
space2 years ago

The Dangers of Evasive Maneuvers and Satellite Collision Risks

Researchers have found that attempting to avoid satellite collisions in orbit actually increases the risk of future collisions due to the limitations of current space traffic management methods. After each avoidance maneuver, operators and space traffic observers have only a rough idea of the satellite's actual location, leading to inaccurate collision predictions for several days. With the increasing number of satellites in space, such uncertainties pose a significant concern. For example, SpaceX's Starlink internet megaconstellation had to perform 25,000 collision avoidance maneuvers in a six-month period, and this number is expected to double as the constellation grows. Inaccurate data after each maneuver could lead to devastating crashes, as demonstrated by the 2009 collision between the U.S. satellite Iridium 33 and Russia's Kosmos-2251. To address this issue, commercial companies are developing platforms that incorporate data about maneuvers to improve accuracy and timeliness of collision predictions.

via Space.com|
#collision-avoidance-maneuvers#satellite-collisions#space
technology2 years ago

SpaceX Starlink Satellites: Collision Avoidance, Radiation, and Near-Misses

SpaceX's filing with the FCC reveals that since the launch of the first Starlink satellites in 2019, they have had to perform 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers. As the number of Starlink satellites in orbit continues to increase, the need for these maneuvers is rising dramatically, raising concerns about potential collisions and the risk of a catastrophic Kessler Syndrome scenario in low Earth orbit.

via Interesting Engineering|
#collision-avoidance-maneuvers#kessler-syndrome#low-earth-orbit