In the past six months, satellites in SpaceX’s Starlink megaconstellation performed nearly 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers, double the number from the previous half-year.

According to SpaceX’s latest Semiannual Constellation Status Report, each Starlink satellite executed its thrusters an average of 14 times to avoid collisions with other satellites, spacecraft, and space debris.

The constellation grew from about 5,100 to 6,200 satellites during this period. SpaceX also lowered its collision-avoidance threshold to one in a million, significantly more stringent than the industry standard, Space.com has reported.

While experts commend SpaceX for its transparency, they express concerns about the implications of increased orbital traffic and the growing necessity for such maneuvers.

Written by B.C. Begley