A pair of dangerously close space encounters are adding to tensions between the U.S. and China, while underscoring the potential peril to astronauts from orbital congestion.
A pair of dangerously close space encounters are adding to tensions between the U.S. and China, while underscoring the potential peril to astronauts as satellite constellations and debris proliferate in orbit.
In both instances, the orbiting lab made evasive maneuvers to avoid the Starlink satellites operated by Elon Musk’s space venture. The margin for a near miss in October could have been as little as a few hundred meters if the astronauts onboard the space station hadn’t shifted to a different altitude, according to data compiled by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell.in a Dec. 6 memo to a United Nations committee that oversees operations in space.
China’s memo cites Starlink-1095, which had operated at an average altitude of 555 kilometers earlier this year, before descending to 382 kilometers and having a “close encounter” with the China Space Station on July 1. An incident with a separate Starlink satellite occurred Oct. 21.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Elon Musk's SpaceX satellites catch heat in China over close calls with space stationElon Musk's SpaceX satellites are catching heat in China after Beijing complained that two satellites launched by the American aerospace manufacturer endangered Chinese astronauts.
Lire la suite »
China complains to UN after maneuvering its space station away from SpaceX Starlink satellitesChina wants to remind everyone of their international space law obligations.
Lire la suite »
China accuses SpaceX of endangering its space stationChina, in a report filed to the United Nations earlier this month, accused SpaceX of endangering the country's new space station and taikonauts on board through close encounters with at least two of the company's Starlink internet satellites.
Lire la suite »
China says SpaceX satellites nearly collided with its space stationChina’s space station has twice been forced to take evasive action to avoid colliding with small satellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the country said.
Lire la suite »
SpaceX satellites nearly collided with China's space station twice this yearSpaceX satellites nearly collided with China's space station twice this year, sparking online backlash in the country against the 'space junk'
Lire la suite »
5 steps to land a job at SpaceXInsider tells the global tech, finance, markets, media, healthcare, and strategy stories you want to know.
Lire la suite »