WASHINGTON - As missions to low Earth orbit become more frequent, space traffic coordination remains a key element to efficiently operating in space. Different satellite operators using autonomous systems need to operate together and manage increasing workloads. NASA’s Starling spacecraft swarm recently tested a coordination with SpaceX’s Starlink constellation, demonstrating a potential solution to enhance space traffic coordination, Tara Friesen writes for NASA. Continue reading original article.
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
28 March 2025 - NASA’s Starling mission, led by the Small Spacecraft Technology program at Ames Research Center, has advanced spacecraft coordination by demonstrating autonomous maneuvers with SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. Originally designed to test autonomous orbital planning among four small spacecraft, the mission evolved into Starling 1.5, focusing on real-time coordination in low Earth orbit.
Currently, satellite operators rely on manual coordination via calls and emails to mitigate potential collisions, a time-consuming process that can delay critical maneuvers. NASA and SpaceX collaborated to streamline this process by developing a conjunction screening service that allows operators to quickly submit trajectory data and determine maneuver responsibility.
During the Starling 1.5 experiment, NASA’s Starling system autonomously planned and executed a maneuver to avoid a close approach with a Starlink satellite, validating SpaceX’s screening service. This advancement supports the development of a fully automated system for managing growing satellite constellations.
“With improved access and use of low Earth orbit and the necessity to provide a more advanced space traffic coordination system, Starling 1.5 is providing critical data. Starling 1.5 is the result of a successful partnership between NASA, the Department of Commerce, and SpaceX, maturing technology to solve such challenges,” said Roger Hunter, program manager of the Small Spacecraft Technology program. “We look forward to the sustained impact of the Starling technologies as they continue demonstrating advancements in spacecraft coordination, cooperation, and autonomy.”
Related: Firefly selects Honeybee Robotics to provide rover for lunar mission
Related: Japanese space debris firm to work with Indian companies
Related: NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 returns to Earth after extended ISS mission
Jamie Whitney, Senior Editor
Military + Aerospace Electronics
