Space is being filled with satellites and other equipment, which inevitably raises controversy
(photo: CC0 Public Domain)
Astronomers aren’t the only ones with problems with SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. China has filed a complaint with the UN over two cases in which there was a huge risk of a collision between the Tiangong space station, which is under construction, and Starlink satellites.
According to Chinese officials, the station had to perform maneuvers to avoid the possibility of a collision. It happened on July 1 and October 21, he said Engadget.
The allegations coincide with the observations of astronomer Jonathan McDowell on the two dates in question. China also claims that SpaceX satellites have not always been predictable.
During the October incident, Starlink’s satellite was “constantly” moving in a way that made it difficult to predict its orbital path. So far, SpaceX has not commented on the topic.
However, China is pushing for action. In its complaint, Beijing asked the UN Secretary-General to remind countries around the world that the parties to the Outer Space Treaty are responsible for extraterrestrial incidents, even if they involve private companies.
China has a history of space incidents in the past. A 2007 anti-satellite rocket test created debris that has been a threat to the International Space Station and other spacecraft to this day.
However, the complaint suggests that the privatization of space is about to make these incidents more common – especially when all the satellite networks that promise to broadcast the Internet to Earth are built.
