SpaceX has launched a new initiative named Stargaze, a space traffic coordination system designed to prevent orbital collisions. The platform, currently in beta testing with over a dozen companies, will be offered free of charge to all satellite operators this spring, a move that is generating significant discussion across the aerospace industry.
The system leverages the vast network of nearly 10,000 Starlink satellites to monitor objects in orbit, promising a new level of accuracy and speed in space situational awareness (SSA). However, access to the service comes with a critical condition: users must share their own satellite data, promoting a new model of collaborative space safety.
Key Takeaways
- SpaceX has announced Stargaze, a new space traffic management system that uses its Starlink satellite constellation to track orbital objects.
- The system collects nearly 30 million observations daily and will be available for free to all satellite operators.
- To use Stargaze, operators must agree to share their own satellite location and maneuver data (ephemeris).
- The initiative has received positive feedback from industry leaders but raises questions about its impact on government programs and commercial data providers.
A New Set of Eyes in Orbit
Stargaze represents a novel approach to space situational awareness. Instead of relying solely on ground-based radar, the system utilizes the star tracker cameras already installed on thousands of Starlink satellites currently in orbit. This network effectively turns the constellation into a massive, space-based observatory.
According to SpaceX, this constant monitoring allows Stargaze to collect approximately 30 million observations of space objects every day. This data is then processed to calculate object orbits in near real-time, enabling the system to issue rapid alerts about potential close approaches, known as conjunction data messages (CDMs).
Unprecedented Observation Frequency
Industry experts have noted claims that Stargaze can observe a single space object up to 1,000 times per day. Marco Concha, a flight dynamics engineering manager at Amazon Leo, described this capability as "extraordinary" and a potential "game changer" for space safety if proven accurate.
This high frequency of observation is a significant departure from traditional tracking methods, which often have higher latency. The ability to quickly detect changes in an object's trajectory is critical in an increasingly crowded orbital environment.
Averting Disaster in Real Time
The practical benefits of Stargaze's speed were demonstrated in a recent incident. In December 2025, SpaceX was tracking a close approach between a Starlink satellite and an unidentified spacecraft. The initial miss distance was calculated at a safe 9,000 meters.
However, just five hours before the potential conjunction, the other spacecraft executed an unexpected maneuver. This sudden change in trajectory drastically reduced the miss distance to a mere 60 meters, well within the high-risk threshold.
"Stargaze quickly detected this maneuver and published an updated trajectory to the screening platform," SpaceX stated in its announcement. "With so little time to react, this would not have been possible by relying on legacy radar systems or high-latency conjunction screening processes."
Following the alert, the Starlink satellite successfully performed a collision avoidance maneuver. The company emphasized that without the system's rapid detection and automated response, the event could have had a very different outcome.
The Condition for Collaboration
While Stargaze is being offered at no charge, its use is contingent on a key requirement: data sharing. To participate, satellite operators must provide their own ephemeris data, which includes precise information about their satellites' current positions and, crucially, their planned maneuvers.
SpaceX argues that while its system can detect maneuvers quickly, the most reliable source of information is the operator itself. This collaborative approach aims to create a more predictable and safer orbital environment for everyone.
What is Ephemeris Data?
Ephemeris data is a set of information that provides the assigned places of a celestial object or satellite at regular intervals. For satellite operators, it's a detailed schedule of where their spacecraft is and where it's going, including any planned burns or course corrections.
This requirement has been praised by many within the industry as a necessary step forward. "We need as many incentives as possible for companies to share their ephemerides," said Ed Lu, co-founder of LeoLabs, a company that operates ground-based SSA radars. "No measurement can tell you what somebody’s future plan of maneuvering is going to be... that information is something that should be shared by operators across the board."
Some experts believe this data sharing should go even further. Brad King, CEO of Orbion Space Technology, suggested that information about a satellite's maneuvering capability, such as its remaining propellant, would also be valuable. This could help determine which spacecraft is better positioned to move in the event of a close approach.
Shifting the Landscape of Space Traffic Management
The introduction of a powerful, free platform by a dominant industry player like SpaceX is poised to have a significant impact. It presents both an opportunity and a challenge for existing commercial SSA providers and government-led initiatives.
The U.S. Office of Space Commerce is currently developing its own system, the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS). This program, mandated in 2018, aims to be a civil-led space traffic management platform. Gabriel Swiney of the Office of Space Commerce called Stargaze a "super-clever technical implementation" but noted that a proliferation of data sources could lead to confusion.
"If you’re an operator, you’re going to be getting either confusing information if you subscribe to multiple SSA services or you might not know what others are getting if you’re using just one," Swiney explained. He also expressed concern about the potential impact of free services on smaller, paid-data companies that are part of the growing SSA industry.
The role of government may shift toward becoming a neutral arbiter or certifier of data. Diane Howard, former director of commercial space policy on the National Space Council, suggested that having a governmental body to evaluate and vet data from various sources could be beneficial for operators.
As Stargaze prepares for its public launch, the space community is watching closely. The platform’s ability to turn a communications constellation into a sophisticated tracking network could set a new standard for orbital safety and cooperation.