SpaceX has recently accused Amazon of endangering other spacecraft by deploying its Kuiper satellites in the wrong part of space. According to a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission on April 1, SpaceX alleges that Amazon has been launching its satellites at altitudes 50 to 90 kilometres higher than what was originally approved.
The dispute revolves around a February 12 launch using an Ariane 6 rocket. SpaceX claims that the satellites were released at an altitude that posed “unmitigable collision risks” for numerous active spacecraft. Following the launch, Starlink satellites had to perform 30 emergency maneuvers to avoid potential collisions with the new Amazon hardware.
David Goldman, Vice President of Satellite Policy at SpaceX, stated in the filing that Amazon and its launch partner Arianespace are neglecting their orbital debris plans by placing satellites into congested areas of low Earth orbit. SpaceX argues that Amazon had previously committed to deploying its satellites near an altitude of 400 kilometres but has since launched eight times into orbits above 450 kilometres without obtaining permission for the change.
Furthermore, SpaceX claims that Amazon failed to provide accurate tracking data to assist other companies in moving their satellites out of harm’s way. Goldman emphasized that Amazon and Arianespace knowingly increased the insertion altitudes for the February 12 launch, despite the presence of thousands of satellites already operating at those altitudes.
In light of these allegations, SpaceX is urging the FCC to enforce Amazon’s original license before any “irreparable harm” occurs. This conflict highlights a growing rivalry between the two companies as Amazon intensifies its efforts to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink internet network.
This latest clash over space safety is not the first between SpaceX and Amazon, but it represents a significant escalation in tensions. As both companies strive to expand their presence in space, ensuring the safety and integrity of satellite operations has become a critical issue that will likely continue to shape the future of commercial space endeavors.