Skip to Main Content
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

NASA Worries SpaceX's Second-Gen Starlink Network Poses Orbital Hazard

NASA is concerned the proposed 30,000 satellites from SpaceX could one day cause collisions, disrupt scientific observations, and delay missions to the International Space Station.

By Michael Kan
February 10, 2022
(Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

SpaceX’s plan to send up 30,000 satellites for Starlink is facing resistance from NASA over concerns the orbital network will impact the space agency's missions. 

NASA’s worries focus on SpaceX’s second-generation Starlink network, for which the company needs to secure FCC clearance before it can launch the satellites. On Tuesday, the space agency submitted a seven-page filing to the FCC outlining the risks of the 30,000-satellite network causing congestion across Earth’s orbit. 

“NASA wants to ensure that the deployment of the Starlink Gen 2 system is conducted prudently, in a manner that supports spaceflight safety and the long-term sustainability of the space environment,” the agency wrote. CNBC was first to report the news.

One of NASA’s key concerns about the 30,000 satellites is the risk they’ll collide into other objects in space. To avoid this, SpaceX has designed the satellites with an autonomous anti-collision system, which can maneuver them out of the way. However, NASA is doubtful about the company’s claim that there’s “zero risk” the satellites will ever cause an orbital collision, especially since other large satellite constellations are being planned. 

“With the potential for multiple constellations with thousands and tens of thousands of spacecraft, it is not recommended to assume propulsion systems, ground detection systems, and software are 100% reliable, or that manual operations (if any) are 100% error-free,” NASA told the FCC. 

Starlink satellites in orbit.
The first-generation Starlink network currently operates over 1,400 active satellites. The second-gen network will be far larger. (satellitemap.space)

Another concern involves Starlink satellites reflecting too much sunlight, which NASA says could disrupt space telescopes from observing Earth’s climate and block ground-based telescopes from detecting near-Earth asteroids. 

“With the addition of ~30,000 Starlink satellites as described in the Gen2 amendment request, NASA estimates that there would be a Starlink in every single asteroid survey image taken for planetary defense against hazardous asteroid impacts, decreasing asteroid survey effectiveness by rendering portions of images unusable,” the agency added. The astronomical community has expressed the same concern.

In addition, NASA is worried the second-gen network will make it harder to send up spacecraft to the International Space Station since about 20,000 Starlink satellites will be orbiting under it.

However, the space agency isn’t against SpaceX’s second-gen Starlink network. Rather, NASA is calling on SpaceX to submit more evidence proving the satellite mega-constellation won’t one day disrupt the space agency’s activities. For example, NASA is recommending SpaceX publish an analysis that demonstrates the auto-maneuver capability of the Starlink satellites is “sufficiently scalable to the entire proposed constellation size.” The agency is also requesting SpaceX supply more technical details on the second-gen Starlink satellites.

“This will inform a thorough analysis of risks and impacts to NASA’s missions and enable a mitigation strategy,” it added. 

NASA also notes it’s submitted similar comments to the FCC about other large satellite constellations. “With the increase in large constellation proposals to the FCC, NASA has concerns with the potential for a significant increase in the frequency of conjunction events and possible impacts to NASA’s science and human spaceflight missions,” the agency added. 

The filing arrived on the same day several SpaceX rivals also lodged concerns about the second-gen network’s size. However, SpaceX is hoping the FCC will quickly approve its proposal for the satellite constellation, with the goal of launching the first satellites as soon as next month.

Get Our Best Stories!

Sign up for What's New Now to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every morning.

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.


Thanks for signing up!

Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Sign up for other newsletters

TRENDING

About Michael Kan

Senior Reporter

I've been with PCMag since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at PCMag, I was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.

Read Michael's full bio

Read the latest from Michael Kan