NASA doesn’t allow anyone to launch whatever they want into space without checking with the agency about possible impacts on assets orbiting it, including the International Space Station (ISS). The agency has a standard set of guidelines for so-called “correlation assessments,” which are primarily aimed at: Determining the risk of close proximity between objects in space, which could eventually lead to a collision. This judgment determines when and where something will fly, as you might expect.
Today, NASA published the file New deal Between him and SpaceX that goes beyond its standard practice in link grading. Specific agreements, found under space law mandates that allow NASA to work with any company to fulfill its mandate, are defined as “non-refundable” agreements, or simply agreements where funds are unchanged, and are designed to benefit both parties involved.
This effectively demonstrates this because SpaceX operates Starlink, which is the largest constellation in spacecraft orbit, which is growing very rapidly, and because each is equipped with the ability to maneuver independently in response to mission criteria, there is a need for an ongoing partnership that deeper between NASA and SpaceX. To avoid pairing.
As such, the agreement outlines the ways in which communication and information sharing between NASA and SpaceX will exceed what is normally expected. On NASA’s side, it will provide detailed and accurate information about the pre-planned mission to SpaceX so they can use it to properly program automatic Starlink evasion actions when a mission occurs where NASA assets might intersect with the constellation. It will also work directly with SpaceX to improve its ability to assess and avoid accidents, and will provide technical support on how SpaceX can better attenuate the “luminous brightness,” or reflection of its Starlink spacecraft.
Meanwhile, SpaceX will be responsible for ensuring that the Starlink satellites take “precautionary measures” to “reduce approach and avoid collisions with all NASA assets.” It will also be required to provide a “specified time slot” for a period during which the Starlink satellites are unable to use collision avoidance, which often occurs during the immediate post-launch phase when they are still activated and placed in their target orbit.
Another major point of the convention is that SpaceX plans to launch Starlink so that it is at least 5 kilometers above or below the highest and lowest points of the International Space Station’s orbit as it circles Earth. Finally, SpaceX is also expected to share its own analysis of the effectiveness of satellite dimming technology, so that the agency can adapt its own guidance on this topic.
The full agreement is included below, but the main idea is that NASA clearly wants SpaceX to be a better partner and citizen on Low Earth where the size of the planet exceeds the 1,200 mark, on the right track to grow to around 1500 or so by the end of the year. In addition, NASA places a lot of trust and responsibility in SpaceX’s hands – it basically shows that the autonomous capabilities embedded in Starlink can avoid any real danger that may arise. The way NASA has developed this document opens the door to the possibility of reusing it for other constellation operators – a need that is increasing, given the number of companies working on low-Earth orbiting networks of spacecraft.
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