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Satellite disaster averted after SpaceX refuses to move

7 pointsby breitlingalmost 6 years ago

1 comment

wahernalmost 6 years ago
&gt; ... the risk of collision between the two satellites was 1 in 1,000--ten times higher than the threshold that requires a collision avoidance maneuver. ....<p>&gt; As to why SpaceX refused to move their satellite and has avoided comment since, is not entirely clear, the report said.<p>I&#x27;ll go out on a limb and say that SpaceX refused to move their satellite because it wouldn&#x27;t be cost effective to perform avoidance procedures at those odds when you have thousands of micro-satellites. SpaceX understands that everybody&#x27;s risk tolerance will need go up considerably.<p>That&#x27;s self-serving, but it&#x27;s the direction things will need to go for <i>any</i> large deployments. At least SpaceX would be able to send up your replacement satellite, and do it for free if necessary.<p>I imagine you do perform avoidance maneuvers at 1:10000 odds because the err bars are so large. If so, it might be more cost effective long-term to improve detection and prediction. By being the obnoxious guy who refuses to budge, SpaceX can induce demand for better technology.