A long-exposure photograph in the northern hemisphere showing satellites in the night sky
Alan Dyer/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
A recent report from SpaceX to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revealed some alarming facts about their Starlink satellites, which had to perform approximately 300,000 collision-avoidance manoeuvres in the year 2025.
Starlink, a constellation of satellites designed to provide internet services, has grown to around 9400 satellites since its inception in 2019, constituting 65% of all active satellites in space. The FCC mandates regular updates from SpaceX on Starlink’s safety measures due to the potential risks associated with collisions between satellites.
According to SpaceX’s report filed on 31 December, the Starlink satellites executed about 149,000 collision-avoidance manoeuvres between June and November 2025. These manoeuvres are crucial to prevent potential collisions when satellites come too close to each other in orbit.
SpaceX follows a conservative approach by manoeuvring at a risk level of 3 in 10 million, higher than the industry standard of 1 in 10,000. The company reported a significant increase in manoeuvres from 200,000 in 2024 to 300,000 in 2025, indicating a growing concern over orbital congestion.
Professor Hugh Lewis from the University of Birmingham expressed concerns about the escalating number of manoeuvres, stating that SpaceX is projected to perform 1 million manoeuvres annually by 2027. With the deployment of additional mega-constellations by other countries, the risk of collisions in space is expected to rise significantly.
SpaceX also disclosed encounters with other satellites, with a Chinese satellite named Honghu-2 having over 1000 close approaches with Starlink satellites due to similar orbits. This situation raises questions about equitable access to orbital space as per international treaties.
Furthermore, SpaceX acknowledged an incident where a Starlink satellite exploded in December, resulting in the release of multiple debris pieces. The company attributed the explosion to a suspected hardware failure and stated that the problematic components had been identified and removed from future satellite designs.
Despite utilizing an autonomous collision-avoidance system, SpaceX reported an unanticipated manoeuvre by a spacecraft operated by Astroscale, a Japanese company, which could have increased collision risks with a Starlink satellite. Astroscale refuted SpaceX’s claims, asserting that the manoeuvre was conducted in compliance with Japanese guidelines.
The sheer volume of manoeuvres conducted by SpaceX raises concerns among experts about the potential repercussions of any errors in the process. Samantha Lawler, from the University of Regina, emphasized the critical importance of precision in these manoeuvres to prevent catastrophic consequences.
The world capital of astronomy: Chile
Explore the astronomical wonders of Chile, home to some of the most advanced observatories and pristine skies for stargazing.
Topics:
