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Satellite disaster averted after SpaceX refuses to move

• wahern 7y ago
  > ... the risk of collision between the two satellites was 1 in 1,000--ten times higher than the threshold that requires a collision avoidance maneuver. .... > As to why SpaceX refused to move their satellite and has avoided comment since, is not entirely clear, the report said. I'll go out on a limb and say that SpaceX refused to move their satellite because it wouldn't be cost effective to perform avoidance procedures at those odds when you have thousands of micro-satellites. SpaceX understands that everybody's risk tolerance will need go up considerably. That's self-serving, but it's the direction things will need to go for any large deployments. At least SpaceX would be able to send up your replacement satellite, and do it for free if necessary. I imagine you do perform avoidance maneuvers at 1:10000 odds because the err bars are so large. If so, it might be more cost effective long-term to improve detection and prediction. By being the obnoxious guy who refuses to budge, SpaceX can induce demand for better technology.