During the construction of the Chinese space station in my country, in 2021, two Starlink satellites of Musk's American SpaceX company approached the Chinese space station twice with unknown intentions. For the sake of safety, the astronauts made emergency changes to avoid danger.
The orbital altitude of the Chinese space station is in an elliptical orbit of 390 kilometers, while and Starlink are at an altitude of 550 kilometers and have different orbital inclinations. Why do they encounter Starlink satellites? If there is a risk of collision, how can we protect the safety of the space station and astronauts?
First, let’s review the basic situation ( Starlink 1095 and Starlink 2305 are in the descending and ascending stages respectively, approaching the Chinese Space Station CSS. On December 8, 2021, our country submitted a note, is as shown below):
It can be seen from the note submitted by our country to the United Nations:
First, Starlink satellites have the ability to maneuver and change orbits, and claim to be able to avoid collisions with the space station or satellites ;
Secondly, Starlink satellites did not take any measures after approaching the Chinese Space Station. In fact, the Chinese Space Station used precious fuel to implement orbit changes to avoid;
Thirdly, the orbit of my country's space station is fixed, and it is announced to the outside world every day. Starlink satellites knew that there was a risk of collision, but did not take any measures.
For this reason, the Chinese Space Station took emergency avoidance measures and adjusted its orbit. But do we have no other option but to avoid it?
First of all, we submitted a note verbale to express concern about such behavior and urge the contracting parties to the Outer Space Treaty to abide by the contract.
The United States also submitted a reply note on January 28, 2022. The main meaning was to clarify the encounter incident, but it did not meet the collision standard, so no emergency notification was issued...
In short, the United States defended Starlink, and the implication was that we overreacted. But what exactly are the details of their so-called “crash criteria”?
NASA's definition of International Space Station is: 0x50x50 kilometers of "square box" space. But when we were closest to the Starlink satellites (before adjusting the orbit), we were only 1 kilometer away. Obviously, there are still regrets in the timeliness and effectiveness of the communication method.
Secondly, when there were 1,800 Starlink satellites, they had "collision" more than 2,100 times a week.
Musk’s Starlink satellite program is expected to launch 42,000 satellites into low-Earth orbit to provide global coverage of Internet services. When it launched to 1,800 satellites, it had already caused 2,100 behaviors that threatened the safety of other satellites per week.
According to reports, on September 2, 2019, the "Starlink-44" satellite almost hit the European Space Agency's "Aeolian" earth observation satellite, almost causing a tragedy.
At that time, the satellite dropped to an altitude of 320 kilometers to test its automatic deorbiting technology, but it ended up getting close to the "Aeolian" satellite operating at this altitude. However, the automatic collision avoidance technology that Space
There are many such examples. As of December 18, 2022, with the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket, the number of Starlink satellites has exceeded the 3,000 mark, and Musk has officially revealed his "fangs."
proposed the "Star Shield" plan. "Star Shield" can be regarded as the military version of SpaceX's "Starlink" (Starlink) constellation. The launch of this project marks that SpaceX has officially become a U.S. defense contractor.
The role played by Starlink in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, coupled with the implementation of the Star Shield program, all illustrate that Musk is by no means as simple as providing the Internet for the world.
Its ambitions are both on earth and in space. We have to take precautions.
Finally, the China Space Station is the largest national laboratory in space in my country, so it should have protection measures.
Even if Musk believes in men and women, his huge starlink satellites are inevitably at risk of their own failure, not to mention that the uncertainty of subjective manipulation has always existed.
Space debris and garbage have been a major problem that hinders humans from exploring space. Just recently, the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft of the International Space Station hit the spacecraft's radiator because of the meteorite , causing abnormal temperature in the cabin. It is still facing a space rescue scenario.
Therefore, we must establish a defense system for the space station.
First, establish a complete monitoring system, provide forecast and warning notification;
Second, the space station changes track as needed. It is worth mentioning that our space-assembled electric propulsion system can efficiently adjust posture and track change.
Third, establish a ground defense system. However, since the space station has to orbit the earth for 16 times a day, the best way is to have a "sword guard" in the space station.
There are two ways: self-practice of internal strength and increase foreign aid. In terms of internal strength, defensive measures such as lasers can be considered. For foreign aid, you can consider accompanying satellites or aircraft.
Such capabilities need to be continuously enhanced, and how it depends on our needs and imagination. If you have a better solution, you can also leave a message to discuss with me.
