Call for Modern Space Laws as Autonomous Satellites Challenge Outdated Treaties: Urgent Updates Needed to Prevent Orbital Collisions
In an era where the cosmos is increasingly populated by competing satellite constellations, the potential for space collisions has risen dramatically. This growing concern was underscored in 2021 when a Starlink satellite and a OneWeb spacecraft narrowly avoided a collision. The automated systems of both companies did detect the close approach; however, the incident highlighted significant issues regarding communication and coordination between space-faring entities that rely heavily on autonomous systems. The event illuminated the fundamental incompatibilities between the human-centric, state-based frameworks of the existing international space law and the mechanisms of modern autonomous space operations. … Read more