SpaceX Advocates for Satellite Operators to Share Trajectory Data to Prevent Orbital Collisions

SpaceX called for increased transparency among satellite operators by sharing ephemeris data—parameters describing spacecraft position and velocity over time—to enable timely collision avoidance maneuvers in crowded Earth orbit. The company reported encountering roughly 650 conjunctions with third-party satellites in 2026, with only about half sharing trajectory information, and documented approximately 164,000 additional conjunctions where unannounced maneuvers prevented effective risk assessment. SpaceX argued that government restrictions and proprietary concerns limiting ephemeris sharing create preventable collision hazards and give operators false confidence in the safety of their actions.

SpaceX has documented numerous close calls in Earth orbit during 2026, including instances where spacecraft passed within meters of each other. In one October 2025 incident, a Starlink satellite avoided collision by only 57 meters after another operator performed an unannounced maneuver. Several months later, a Starlink satellite had to alter its orientation to present a smaller target when a potential collision was detected too late for a full evasion.

The company attributes these risks partly to inconsistent data sharing practices. Some operators withhold trajectory information to protect proprietary strategic details, while others face government restrictions preventing disclosure. SpaceX argues these barriers leave operators unable to assess actual collision probabilities and contribute to a false sense of orbital safety.