Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite division has urged additional space operators to share tracking data in order to minimize potential in-orbit collisions. Starlink, a satellite broadband provider and a subsidiary of SpaceX, unveiled further details about its Stargaze project in early October.
This initiative aims to provide satellite pathing information for free to all satellite operators. The company SpaceX. The project intends to create a representation of Earth’s orbits similar to how a space intelligence system does, and provide its users with specific details about possible conjunctions.
The firm considers providing extensive satellite information to the company near the Pentagon as a form of responsibility. Starlink’s statement suggests that not divulging satellite movements beforehand could lead to risky near encounters that could have been easily avoided. “Due to the increasing number of satellites in LEO, we advise all operators to embrace comparable measures to promote the sharing of data and uphold space safety standards.” It seems that Stargaze, initially unveiled in February, is now being called Space-Safety as well.
I will generate a unique map of satellites, using Starlink’s situational awareness technologies, data from participating operators who share their information, and space intelligence providers. The sharing aspect involves receiving texts about potential collisions, or ‘conjunction data messages’ (CDMs), rather than full database access.
Starlink now claims to share all its ephemeris data publicly, which seems to mean sending data to proprietary American databases that require registration and can deny access due to security concerns. Governments generally prefer keeping satellite locations confidential, sharing with trusted allies if at all.
A master system that is globally accessible does not exist, similar to ships or planes.
