Starlink Threat: Chinese Satellites Forced SpaceX to Maneuver Starlink 3,732 Times to Avoid Collisions

SpaceX’s Starlink satellites faced a serious threat last year, requiring at least 148,696 collision avoidance maneuvers, with Chinese satellites accounting for 3,732 of these evasive moves, according to a recent report filed with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

China’s Satellites Pose Major Risks
The top threat came from Honghu-2, an experimental satellite launched in December 2023 by Landsat 2 Y-3 rocket from Hong Kong, which forced Starlink satellites to maneuver 1,143 times alone. Other Chinese satellites, including those from YunYao Aerospace and Long March 6A debris, collectively accounted for hundreds of additional adjustments. Such maneuvers consume significant fuel and reduce satellite lifespan.

Other Space Objects Contribute to Danger
The report also highlighted that five American satellites and debris caused 2,371 maneuvers, while four Argentinian satellites operated by a US-based company accounted for over 2,000 maneuvers. In total, the crowded low-Earth orbit environment is creating increasing risks for Starlink’s mega-constellation, which aims to provide global internet coverage.

Starlink’s Collision Avoidance System
Starlink satellites are equipped with on-board systems using hall-effect thrusters and electric-magnetic fields to autonomously avoid collisions. However, SpaceX warned that international coordination remains a challenge, particularly with Chinese and Russian operators, who often do not share ephemerides or contact information. Ephemerides data provide critical trajectory, position, and velocity information necessary for safe maneuver planning.

Space Debris Adds to the Challenge
In addition to active satellites, orbital debris from previous launches and anti-satellite tests increases the risk of collisions. SpaceX emphasized the need for continuous data sharing and reliable communication between spacecraft operators to prevent potentially catastrophic collisions in Earth’s increasingly crowded orbit.