Space industry warns of satellite collision risks as US funding faces deep cuts

Skye Jacobs

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Staff
TL;DR: A fierce debate is unfolding in the US over the future of space safety, as the federal government considers dramatically reducing funding for its primary civilian space traffic management office. Under the White House's 2026 budget proposal, the Office of Space Commerce would see its funding slashed from $65 million to just $10 million – a cut that could effectively dismantle the Traffic Coordination System for Space, a critical program designed to prevent satellite collisions in Earth's increasingly crowded orbit.

The proposed cuts have sparked a strong backlash from the space industry. Seven major trade associations representing more than 450 companies including SpaceX and Blue Origin have sent urgent letters to congressional leaders. Their message is clear: reducing support for the Office of Space Commerce and its TraCSS program would endanger both commercial and government satellites, increase operational costs, and potentially drive American space businesses to relocate overseas.

Industry leaders argue that the timing of the cuts couldn't be worse. The number of satellites in low Earth orbit has surged in recent years, driven by mega-constellations such as SpaceX's Starlink, which has launched over 7,000 satellites since 2019. Amazon's Project Kuiper is planning a constellation of 3,000 satellites, while Chinese companies are preparing to deploy tens of thousands more. This dramatic increase in orbital traffic has made managing the risk of collisions more complex – and more urgent – than ever before.

Experts warn that the risk is far from theoretical. According to Hugh Lewis, a professor of astronautics at the University of Southampton, the number of collision-avoidance maneuvers performed by Starlink satellites has more than doubled over the past six months compared to the previous period. As more satellites are launched, the frequency of close encounters is expected to increase, raising the chances of accidents that could disrupt critical services and generate dangerous orbital debris.

The TraCSS system, currently in beta testing with several satellite operators, was designed to provide space situational awareness and issue collision alerts, much like the Federal Aviation Administration manages air traffic. Its loss, industry advocates warn, would create a dangerous gap in the nation's ability to coordinate safe satellite operations and weaken the US' role in shaping global standards for space safety.

The administration argues that private companies have shown they can provide space traffic management services, justifying the proposed budget cuts. However, industry executives pushed back, noting that no single company or coalition has been identified to assume full responsibility, and no viable funding model exists to support such a transition.

They emphasize that government oversight remains critical, particularly as Earth's orbit becomes increasingly crowded and space grows in strategic importance.

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Right, take money away from NASA, and give it to the military. The US is moving toward poor states in Afrika where AK47 can be exchanged for a chicken. More progress from Trump administration.

 
"No sh*t, Sherlock" moment of the week right here folks. This is a real problem, but in this situation it's being used as an excuse for something that won't be very helpful.
 
If all these private companies are using this system....are none of them paying into it? Between SpaceX and amazon, $55 million a year should be nothing.
 
Right, take money away from NASA, and give it to the military. The US is moving toward poor states in Afrika where AK47 can be exchanged for a chicken. More progress from Trump administration.

Um...this has nothing to do with NASA. And considering which agency is in charge of it, I don't understand why SpaceX, ESA, Blue Origin, etc. aren't pooling their money as fast as they can and be happy they're dodging a bullet. Allow me to introduce to you the managing government agency responsible for the ":Office of Commercial Space". Ladies and gentleman, I give you.......THE FAA. Yes, those crazy, fun loving, floppy disk tech slingers are now going to manage the spaceways for the whole world. With 70 years experience managing our airways, and 40 of it with the same equipment, who could do it better.l

What could go wrong?
 
People forget how fast these objects are moving as well, 13k mph+ at closer orbits, any collision here is actually worth seeing it would be epic! How are we to go to other planets through a field of orbiting objects. Space craft will need someone piloting it with serious balls.
 
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