Washington, October 11 — SpaceX has urged stronger international coordination to prevent orbital collisions, citing a series of near-misses involving its Starlink satellites. The company said these conjunctions have occurred at distances of tens to hundreds of metres, raising concerns about the growing risk posed by space debris in low Earth orbit. SpaceX warned that the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, and other satellites are also vulnerable to such events.
CEO Elon Musk stressed the need for a global collaborative effort to develop and implement effective collision avoidance measures. He noted that the US government, through NASA and the Federal Communications Commission, has a role to play in facilitating such cooperation.
The call comes as the number of objects in orbit continues to increase, heightening the potential for catastrophic collisions. SpaceX said improved coordination is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of activities in low Earth orbit. Looking ahead, the company urged stakeholders to prioritise shared protocols and real-time data exchange to mitigate risks.
Orbital congestion has become a growing concern as the number of active satellites and pieces of space debris in low Earth orbit continues to rise. With thousands of objects now circling the planet at high velocities, even small fragments can pose significant risks to operational spacecraft due to the immense kinetic energy involved in potential impacts.
This environment has prompted increased attention from space agencies, commercial operators, and international bodies focused on preserving the safety and usability of key orbital regions. The proliferation of large satellite constellations, such as those providing global broadband coverage, has intensified discussions about responsible space operations and the need for standardized practices in tracking and maneuvering spacecraft. Experts have long emphasized that preventing collisions requires not only advanced tracking systems but also transparent communication between operators to allow timely avoidance maneuvers when conjunctions are predicted.
Such cooperation is seen as vital to reducing the likelihood of cascading collision events, known as the Kessler syndrome, which could render certain orbits hazardous for generations. International guidelines for space debris mitigation, including those developed by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, already recommend measures such as post-mission disposal and collision avoidance planning. However, the effectiveness of these guidelines depends on widespread adherence and the ability to share situational awareness data across national and organizational lines.
As orbital activity expands, calls for stronger frameworks to support real-time coordination have gained traction among policymakers and industry leaders seeking to ensure the long-term stability of the space environment.
