Autonomous Satellites Coordinate in Orbit

NASA’s Starling swarm successfully coordinated orbital maneuvers with SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. This test demonstrated a potential automated solution to manage increasingly crowded low Earth orbit trajectories eff

Managing Busy Low Earth Orbit Paths

Standard space traffic coordination relies on manual ground emails and phone calls between operators. When collision alerts trigger, planning safe avoidance maneuvers can take several days to finalize.

Rapid Screening Identifies Responsibility

SpaceX developed a conjunction screening service to process trajectory data quickly. The tool lets satellite operators rapidly evaluate close approaches and clearly accept responsibility to maneuver away from potential c

Starling Autonomously Resolves Close Approach

During the Starling 1.5 experiment, a NASA satellite accepted responsibility via the screening service. The spacecraft autonomously planned and executed its maneuver to safely clear a path past a Starlink satellite.

Hours Replace Days for Orbital Planning

Reducing maneuver planning timelines from days to hours unlocks crucial operational capabilities. Satellites can quickly alter positions to capture unexpected surface events or respond immediately to changing environment

Multi-Agency Partnerships Assess New Systems

The project brought together NASA Ames, SpaceX, and the Department of Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce. Together, they assessed the screening service to help mature future space traffic management framework standards.

Automated Flexibility Supports Diverse Constellations

Orbiting fleets often operate under varying risk tolerance criteria. Fully automated, adaptable systems allow multiple satellite operators to maintain safe operational distances without bottlenecking human flight control

Paving the Way for Autonomous Traffic Control

Led by NASA Ames, Starling 1.5 verified that autonomous coordination across distinct operators is practical. The flight data lays a foundation for routine, automated space traffic management as orbital traffic grows.