NASA says it’s concerned about SpaceX’s 30,000-satellite project
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) has submitted a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) containing concerns about SpaceX’s satellite project, which is owned by Elon Musk and which performs NASA’s spaceflights. SpaceX plans to increase internet speed on Earth with Starlink Gen2, a satellite system that includes 30,000 satellites, while NASA is concerned that 30,000 satellites could potentially create collisions.
“NASA has concerns about the potential for a significant increase in the frequency of merger events and the potential impact on NASA’s science and manned spaceflight missions,” nasa said in a letter sent to the FCC on Tuesday, stating the potential impact of an additional 30,000 satellites in space.
NASA has expressed concern that so many satellites in orbit could lead to possible collisions. SpaceX’s 12,000-satellite Starlink project was previously approved, but the company applied to upgrade its project to 30,000 satellites.
25 THOUSAND OBJECTS ARE BEING WATCHED IN ORBIT
Nasa said in its letter that it wants to ensure that the deployment of the Starlink Gen 2 system is conducted prudently to support spaceflight safety and the long-term sustainability of the space environment.
Stressing that there are currently 25,000 objects in orbit, NASA said SpaceX’s Gen2 expansion will more than double the number of monitored objects in orbit.
