Near Miss: Chinese Satellite Encounters SpaceX Starlink in Close Call

A close encounter in space is renewing worries about the rising risks of satellite launches without proper coordination. A recently launched Chinese satellite passed within just 200 meters of a SpaceX Starlink satellite.

Michael Nicolls, the VP of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, brought attention to the near-miss on social media. He stressed the critical need for better data sharing between satellite operators to prevent collisions in the increasingly crowded low Earth orbit.

The incident involved satellites deployed by the Kinetica 1 rocket from CAS Space. The launch occurred on Wednesday at China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, located in the Gobi Desert. This 11th flight of the commercial rocket successfully placed six Chinese multifunctional satellites into orbit, along with several international payloads. These included the UAE's 813 Earth-observation satellite, Egypt's SPNEX nanosatellite for space plasma research, and Nepal's Slippers2Sat, a student-built satellite for technology demonstrations.

Nicolls pointed out that no ephemeris data – precise information about the satellite's orbital position – was shared with other operators before the launch. This lack of communication led to the extremely close pass between the Chinese satellite and Starlink-6079 (identified as NORAD ID 56120) at an altitude of 560 kilometers.

The Danger of Poor Communication in Space

Ephemeris data is crucial because it allows for collision avoidance maneuvers. Without it, operators must rely on last-minute tracking, which proved insufficient in this instance. The 200-meter gap was dangerously small. Even a minor impact could create debris that could threaten the International Space Station and thousands of other satellites.

SpaceX has emphasized that most orbital risks arise from inadequate communication, rather than intentional actions. The problem is growing as launch rates increase rapidly, especially with mega-constellations like Starlink, which includes over 6,000 satellites.

The diverse payloads of the Kinetica 1 launch attracted international interest. The UAE's 813 satellite, developed by Shanghai's Innovation Academy for Microsatellites, carries hyperspectral and panchromatic imagers. It will be used for vegetation monitoring, land mapping, and climate research, involving engineers from 12 Arab nations in a significant regional collaboration. Egypt's SPNEX will investigate ionospheric plasma to provide insights into climate. Nepal's Slippers2Sat demonstrates student innovation using amateur radio technology.

Nicolls cautioned that close calls like this will become more frequent without mandatory data sharing as commercial launches continue to surge. Space agencies and companies are pushing for standardized protocols through organizations like the UN's space traffic management working group.

This near collision serves as a stark reminder. In an era where the Kessler syndrome – a cascading collision scenario – is a real threat, cooperation is not simply an option; it is essential for the survival of humanity's future in orbit.