China News Agency, Beijing, December 28 (Ma Shuaisha) In July and October this year, the Starlink satellites launched by the US Space Exploration Technology Corporation (Space X) approached the Chinese space station twice, and caused the lives of Chinese astronauts in orbit. Health poses a threat, and this move has aroused widespread concern.
How to treat the Starlink satellite down orbit?
How to ensure the safety of astronauts in orbit?
How should mankind explore and peacefully use outer space?
Yang Yuguang, vice chairman of the International Astronautical Federation’s Space Transportation Committee, said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency that it is not normal for the Starlink satellites to reduce their orbits. When the working spacecraft changes orbit, it should be notified to the relevant parties in time. This is what an internationally recognized space country should perform. obligation.
It is reported that when a satellite orbits the earth along an elliptical orbit, there will be apogee and perigee. When the altitude range of the two spacecraft's orbits overlaps, after a long time of operation, there will be a risk of approaching or even collision.
The normal operating height of the US Starlink satellite is more than 500 kilometers, and there is no overlap with the orbital height range of the Chinese space station.
In this regard, Yang Yuguang believes that the orbit reduction of the US Starlink satellite is an abnormal situation.
"As for whether the failure will occur or intentional, we cannot predict, but it is very irresponsible to change the track and not notify the relevant parties in time."
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty is recognized as the cornerstone of current international law in the field of outer space.
The treaty stipulates that astronauts are envoys sent by all mankind to outer space, and all countries should respect and protect the safety of astronauts, and notify the Secretary-General of the United Nations or other signatories of phenomena found in outer space that pose a danger to the lives or health of astronauts; It should also take responsibility for all outer space activities of its domestic private companies.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian also emphasized at a press conference on the 28th that exploring and peaceful use of outer space is a common cause of all mankind.
China has always used outer space peacefully in the spirit of benefiting all mankind.
The United States should respect the international order of outer space based on international law, take immediate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again, and adopt a responsible attitude to maintain the safety of orbiting astronauts and the safe and stable operation of space facilities.
With the development of aerospace technology to this day, there are many working satellites in space, including some that have exceeded their working life, and debris generated by collisions between satellites and other objects. How to ensure the safety of orbiting astronauts has attracted more and more attention.
Yang Yuguang pointed out that there are relatively mature mechanisms to ensure the coordination of radio frequency and geosynchronous orbit satellites in the world. However, the low-orbit satellites are fast and in large numbers. How to avoid collisions is still a very serious issue. And the problem that needs to be solved urgently.
"Because space debris and obsolete satellites usually do not perform orbital maneuvers, after observing their orbital positions, the data is not updated for a long time, and the orbital data obtained is accurate enough." Yang Yuguang said, but the spacecraft is working. If there is an orbit change, the previous orbit prediction is invalid, which requires continuous re-observation of the spacecraft.
According to reports, when the Starlink-2305 satellite had a close approach event with the China Space Station on October 21, the satellite was in a continuous orbit maneuvering state, the maneuvering strategy was unknown and the orbit error could not be evaluated.
In this regard, Yang Yuguang pointed out that orbit forecasting is not difficult. For any spacecraft that is in operation, promptly notify relevant parties after the change of orbit. This is currently an internationally recognized obligation that aerospace countries should perform, and this is also a manifestation of the responsibility of aerospace countries.
At present, countries are constantly coordinating and communicating, trying to establish a mechanism to avoid unnecessary dangerous collisions in space.
"In fact, it is not the first time that Starlink satellites have caused a collision risk." Yang Yuguang also said that Space X has launched more than 1,000 Starlink satellites, which has a serious impact on astronomical observations. Many astronomers using optical telescopes have proposed Outcry.
In addition, it also occupies orbital resources and radio frequencies to a large extent. If tens of thousands of Starlink satellites are launched in the future, it will affect the application of satellites in other countries and further increase the risk of collisions with other spacecraft.
Yang Yuguang emphasized that outer space is a precious resource shared by all mankind and should be cherished and maintained together. This is recognized in the world, and no country should be an exception.
(Finish)