The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) raised concerns to the Federal Communication Commission over the SpaceX plan to deploy 30,000 low earth orbit satellites.
As per the filing, NASA has concerns with the potential increase in conjunction events. As well, they are concerned about possible impacts to NASA science and human spaceflight missions.
SpaceX has permission to deploy about 12,000 satellites for its Starlink network.
However, the company requested authorization for a second-generation constellation of 30,000 satellites.
NASA was not alone in voicing its concerns over SpaceX’s plans. Amazon and Dish Network both raised concerns, reports Reuters.
Amazon, for this part, noted that SpaceX’s application would dramatically increase the risks and burdens of their proposed Kulper system.
As of January 15, 2022, and as per a Tweet from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the company has 1,469 Starlink satellites in active operation. They had a further 272 moving to operation orbits in the next few weeks.
The Federal Communication Commission did not reveal when or if they would approve the SpaceX request.
SpaceX did not provide a comment on NASA’s concerns.
