China flags safety fears over Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network

China has expressed serious safety, security, and legal concerns over the rapid expansion of commercial satellite networks, particularly targeting Elon Musk’s Starlink constellation, during a recent informal United Nations Security Council meeting convened by Russia. Beijing highlighted that the proliferation of large satellite constellations, especially those operated predominantly by a single country, is outpacing existing international regulations and straining shared orbital and frequency resources. China warned that this situation significantly increases the risk of collisions and space debris, which endangers all space-faring nations, especially those with limited tracking and maneuvering capabilities. Specifically, China cited incidents involving Starlink satellites, including two close approaches to China’s space station in 2021 that forced evasive maneuvers by astronauts, and a recent satellite breakup in December 2023 that generated over one hundred debris fragments. Beyond physical safety, China raised concerns about the militarization of commercial satellites, noting their use in reconnaissance and battlefield communications, which blurs the line between civilian and military activities