SpaceX recently entered into an agreement with NASA to move any of the company Starlink Internet Satellite out of the way if they stray too close to the International Space Station or other spacecraft from the agency.
The Space Act agreement, signed on March 18, will help maintain and improve space security, NASA officials said.
SpaceX has launched more than 1,400 of its Starlink broadband satellites to orbit to date. Following the initial operational launch of Starlink in 2019, the company adapted the design of the satellites and provided upgrades designed to reduce their reflection, enable them to communicate with each other on an orbit, and even out of the way. to move, if necessary.
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“With commercial enterprises launching more and more satellites, it’s critical that we increase communications, exchange data, and establish best practices to ensure that we all maintain a safe space environment,” said Steve Jurczyk, acting administrator of NASA. , said. said in a statement.
In 2020, the International Space Station had to adjust his track several times avoid possible collisions, a task that requires coordinated effort. As the number of Starlink and other satellites in orbit increases, so does the likelihood of an incident occurring in space.
SpaceX has long emphasized that its Starlink satellites are equipped with autonomous collision avoidance features that help the spacecraft change from orbital positions. By signing this new agreement, NASA is hopeful that only the Starlink spacecraft will have to move if such a close pass were to take place.
The agreement also requires SpaceX to notify NASA at least one week before each Starlink launch so that the agency can determine if the mission is having trouble avoiding collisions. To go a step further, SpaceX has agreed to send its satellites into the first orbit that does not come within five kilometers of the ISS or other NASA spacecraft.
“NASA has agreed not to maneuver in the event of a possible collusion to ensure that the parties do not accidentally move into each other,” the agreement reads. “NASA will operate on the basis that the autonomous maneuverability of the Starlink satellites will seek to avoid collusion with NASA assets, and that NASA will maintain its planned orbit unless SpaceX informs otherwise.”
In addition, the collaboration with SpaceX will include work to brightness of Starlink satellites. To date, SpaceX has equipped its Starlink satellites with a special sunshade that reduces the brightness of the spacecraft, but the agreement makes it possible to share information between the two entities.
SpaceX is not the only company with big plans for space-based internet service. OneWeb, Telstar and Amazon have all planned their own constellations. In a real-life example of why these kinds of deals exist, a Starlink spacecraft and a OneWeb satellite zoomed in awkwardly close together on March 30th.
The two companies were able to coordinate with OneWeb slides his satellite out of the way. As the number of satellites in space increases rapidly, such cooperation is likely to be the key to avoid collisions.
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