U.S. Responds to China’s Complaints Over Starlink Satellites

Official note to the United Nations claims China’s concerns were unwarranted.

Jeremy Kariuki

Tuesday, February 08, 2022 at 03:53 PM ET

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SpaceX's Starlink program was created to provide low-cost internet to remote locations. [Courtesy: SpaceX]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. has formally refuted China's accusations that SpaceX's Starlink satellites endangered its space station and astronauts during two close encounters in 2021.
China reported that Starlink satellites changed course, necessitating evasive maneuvers by its space station in April and October 2021 to avoid collisions.
In a letter to the UN, the U.S. stated that these incidents did not meet established emergency collision criteria, thus no prior emergency notifications were warranted, despite its commitment to space safety.

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The U.S. is refuting claims by China that SpaceX’s Starlink satellites endangered its space station and astronauts last year.

In a letter to the United Nations dated January 28, the U.S. reiterated that it is “committed to sustainable, rules-based activities in outer space, whether those activities are performed by Governments or by non-governmental entities, including the private sector.”