仅200米 中美卫星惊险“擦肩”！SpaceX高管指责中国企业 中企反驳 究竟谁在碰瓷？

Core Viewpoint - SpaceX's Starlink program has raised concerns regarding satellite collision risks, particularly following a recent incident where a Chinese satellite came within 200 meters of a Starlink satellite, leading to a dispute between SpaceX and China Aerospace Corporation over collision avoidance protocols [1][4]. Group 1: Incident Details - Michael Nichols, Vice President of SpaceX's Starlink program, reported a close approach incident involving a Chinese satellite and a Starlink satellite, which occurred without prior coordination [1]. - China Aerospace Corporation responded, asserting that all their launch missions utilize ground-based space awareness systems to select launch windows and avoid collisions with known satellites or debris, emphasizing this as a mandatory procedure [1][4]. Group 2: Starlink Operations and Challenges - Starlink has faced multiple collision threats, including two incidents in 2021 where Starlink satellites came close to the Chinese space station, prompting emergency collision avoidance maneuvers [4]. - As of February 2025, Starlink has over 6,750 satellites in orbit, with plans to expand to a constellation of 12,000 and eventually 42,000 satellites [4]. Group 3: Maneuvering and Collision Avoidance - From December 2024 to May 2025, Starlink satellites executed over 140,000 maneuvers to avoid collisions, which is 2.8 times more than the previous six months, complicating collision predictions for other organizations [5]. - Starlink satellites are designed to frequently adjust their orbits using electric propulsion systems, which is necessary due to their lightweight design and large solar panel area, making them susceptible to atmospheric drag [5]. Group 4: Coordination and Communication - Experts emphasize the need for responsible spacefaring nations to notify relevant parties when satellites change orbits to prevent collisions, particularly among operational satellites [6]. - Nichols highlighted that the lack of coordination among satellite operators poses significant risks, advocating for the sharing of satellite ephemeris data to enhance safety in space operations [7].