SpaceX calls for better on-orbit coordination after near misses with Starlink

“My fundamental ask here is that we need to move forward and start sharing data on all vehicles, regardless of your country, with us and with others, to promote a safe operating environment,” Nicolls said.

What do SpaceX’s competitors think? Ars asked Amazon Leo boss Rajeev Badyal about coordination with Starlink, its main competitor in the satellite broadband market. Amazon has 396 satellites in orbit today, with hundreds more waiting to be launched when their rockets are ready to put them into orbit.

“Space security is also paramount for us,” Badyal said. “Every launch we do, we coordinate with SpaceX. We coordinate with others who have satellites. We let them know where we’re going to put them, how we’re going to put them into orbit, etc. So we have regular meetings with companies like SpaceX to exchange data.

“So for us, sharing ephemeris or sharing information necessary for space security is not a problem,” Badyal said. “We are strong proponents of ensuring that we are all operating in this area in space in a coordinated manner, because (the) consequences of not doing so are significant for everyone, and there is no reason not to do it.”

Amazon’s first-generation Leo constellation will consist of 3,232 satellites, and the Federal Communications Commission in February approved Amazon’s application for a second-generation network of 4,504 satellites. Amazon has requested FCC approval for an additional 5,105 satellites for direct connectivity to devices, but the company is still far from reaching the size of the Starlink fleet.

“Obviously, SpaceX is the biggest constellation,” Badyal said. “We are working with them hand in hand. As for China and its adversaries, that is something I cannot comment on at the moment. At some point we will have to coordinate, otherwise it will end up being a negative thing for everyone, especially if they achieve a larger scale.”