Why coordination matters in a crowded orbital neighborhood
As satellite constellations expand across low Earth orbit, operators say the risk of close approaches—and the potential for interference—must be managed with better cross-operator communication. At a panel during the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney, representatives from leading U.S. and Chinese operators stressed that uncontrolled conjunctions are a real threat to space safety. The core issue isn’t just launching into the same orbital shells but doing so without sharing data that could avert collisions or degraded performance.
David Goldman, vice president of satellite policy at SpaceX, underscored a simple but powerful point: sharing orbital ephemerides and maneuver plans is the single most important action for reducing risk in space. He contrasted the situation with the collaboration observed among major operators who actively coordinate whenever a new batch of satellites is placed into higher orbits. The takeaway is clear: when operators communicate effectively, large numbers of spacecraft can operate safely in proximity.
From close cooperation to missing connections
Amazon’s Project Kuiper offers a practical example of what routine coordination looks like in practice. An Amazon official noted that Kuiper and SpaceX routinely exchange ephemerides and maneuver plans and even screen their orbits at a technical level. Yet the same level of visibility is not universal. The panel highlighted a troubling gap: for thousands of other operational payloads, contact information and coordination channels remain incomplete or unavailable, creating a potential safety blind spot. “That’s really not a very safe environment,” one speaker observed, describing the difficulty of notifying other operators about upcoming maneuvers when contact details are not shared.
A Chinese operator echoed the concern, pointing out that while frequency coordination contacts are understood, who to talk to about satellite operations is often unclear. The problem isn’t merely about compliance with treaties; it’s about practical access to the people who can adjust operations in near real time to avoid conflicts.
The ITU as a potential coordinating hub
Industry leaders suggested that the International Telecommunication Union could play a pivotal role in reconciling these gaps. Trust between operators and across borders remains a barrier in many contexts, but a neutral regulatory body could provide a trusted shared space for exchange. ITU officials acknowledged the growing need to improve how operators communicate and manage space safety, framing it as a practical fix rather than a rushed regulatory overhaul.
Geneva forum and immediate actions
The ITU is preparing for its second Space Sustainability Forum in Geneva, where improving operator communications will be a central topic. A senior ITU official said the organization plans to coordinate directly with major low Earth orbit operators to exchange points of contact and to collect and publish information that operators can use to reach one another quickly. Making contact information readily accessible could also help mitigate radio-frequency interference and other operational frictions that hamper safe, cooperative satellite operations.
What could be done next—and what might require caution
Panelists emphasized two practical steps: first, standardizing how and where contact details and maneuver notices are shared, whether through the ITU or another trusted platform; second, building a lightweight, voluntary code of conduct that encourages openness and timely data exchange without resorting to formal regulation. Goldman warned against rushing to regulation, noting that premature rules could backfire if they limit the very flexibility needed to address fast-moving space activities.
The consensus viewpoint is that enhancing communications is a fast, tangible way to reduce risk. Regulation, while important, tends to move slowly—particularly at World Radiocommunication Conferences—where the pace of space activity now outstrips the regulatory cycle. By serving as a neutral facilitator for information sharing, the ITU could become the single best lever to lower collision risk and support sustainable operations in increasingly crowded orbits.
Looking ahead: toward safer space operations
With space traffic only growing more complex, the push for better coordination is about protecting assets and ensuring reliable services. If the ITU can provide a trusted, accessible channel for real-time contact and data sharing among operators, the space community could avert many avoidable conjunctions and set a clearer standard for space safety that other actors can follow.
