Global Call for Better Coordination
At the International Astronautical Congress in Sydney on Sept. 30, satellite operators pressed the International Telecommunication Union to help keep lines of communication open as close approaches between satellites raise space safety concerns. The core issue is not conflicts with rival constellations, but the lack of routine data sharing among many operators, which can heighten conjunction risks and complicate risk mitigation in crowded orbits.
Ephemerides and Maneuver Plans as First Steps
David Goldman, vice president of satellite policy at SpaceX, underscored that when satellites are launched into orbits near other systems, the critical gap is the absence of shared orbital ephemerides. He argued that a consistent data-sharing regime is the single most important measure to reduce risk in space. An Amazon representative noted that while SpaceX and Amazon coordinate closely on space safety, roughly 1,500 operational payloads pass through Kuiper’s orbital shells, and only about half of those have Amazon’s contact information available. That lack of contact can impede timely maneuvering and collision avoidance, making the operating environment less safe than it could be.
Similar Challenges Across Regions
A Chinese operator on the panel described a similar issue: while there is clarity on who to contact for frequency coordination, there is no equivalent point of contact for satellite operations and maneuver planning. This gap highlights the need for a broader, cross-border information-sharing framework to maintain safety as more players proliferate in low Earth orbit (LEO).
ITU as a Neutral Facilitator
Industry officials proposed the ITU as a trusted hub to host and disseminate operational contact points and maneuver data. ITU officials announced that the upcoming Space Sustainability Forum in Geneva would include efforts to exchange direct points of contact among leading LEO operators and to publish information so regulators and operators can access it quickly. Faster access to this information could also help address radio-frequency interference and other coordination challenges, reinforcing the two pillars of space stewardship: certainty and transparency.
Rethinking Regulation and Governance
While consensus exists on the value of improved communication, there is caution about rushing into new rules. Regulators risk implementing counterproductive policies if they move too quickly while the space environment evolves rapidly. The ITU’s preferred role may be as a facilitator rather than a regulator at this stage, with some operators hinting at a possible code of conduct but stopping short of prescribing specifics or timelines.
What Happens Next
Experts anticipate the ITU will gather more data and potentially publish a central directory of points of contact for major LEO players. If successful, the ITU could help reduce uncertainty, enable safer orbital operations, and contribute to a more sustainable space environment as commercial activity accelerates. The rapid pace of space development makes faster, trusted communication channels essential and likely to shape policy discussions at future conferences and forums.
