Preventing Satellite Collisions? China and the US Compete to Take Responsibility, What's the Real Reason?
In early October 2025, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) sent an email to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), stating, "We recommend that you remain stationary, and we will perform maneuvering." In contrast, the U.S. has traditionally informed China, "Stay still, we will bypass you."
Alvin Drew, director of NASA's Office of Space Sustainability and a former astronaut, revealed that over the past few decades, the U.S. would notify China about collision risks, but often faced "silent responses" or "unconfirmed delivery of information."
Drew publicly stated at the space sustainability panel session of the International Astronautical Congress: "This is the first time we have truly achieved two-way communication between these two public space operators."
Communication problems have led to serious consequences. Drew revealed that once, due to lack of coordination, both spacecraft "maneuvered simultaneously," narrowly avoiding an in-orbit collision. The Wolf Amendment, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2011, which prohibits NASA from bilateral cooperation with China, has become a major obstacle for space communication between the two countries.
Against this backdrop, China's recent initiative to propose "we will perform the maneuver" completely changed the previous passive situation. From a technical logic perspective, this decision is based on significant breakthroughs in China's precise orbit forecasting and avoidance capabilities.
Usually, the party with higher technological maturity holds the initiative. China's recent statement shows that the technological advantage has now shifted, and the initiative has come to China's side.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1845196801244164/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.