Starlink Satellite Mega-Constellations

I am concerned about the rapidly growing risk of catastrophic collisions in low-Earth orbit (LEO) posed by the proliferation of satellite mega-constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink and others. Recent scientific research shows that modern satellite networks are far more crowded and fragile than commonly understood. According to new analyses, satellites currently in LEO frequently pass very close to one another, and a single large-scale disruption — such as a strong solar storm or navigation failure — could potentially trigger a rapid cascade of collisions within just a few days. Such a chain reaction would create massive debris fields and jeopardize access to space for communications, navigation, weather forecasting, Earth observation, national security, and scientific missions. This is not a distant problem; it is already here. Starlink and other networks routinely perform thousands of collision avoidance maneuvers, and a near-miss with another satellite recently prompted a major reconfiguration to reduce altitudes and collision risk. The United States should be a leader in shaping space traffic management standards, orbital debris mitigation policies, and real-time tracking infrastructure. I urge you to support congressional oversight that includes the following actions: • Public hearings to examine the growing congestion in low-Earth orbit and its implications for national security and global infrastructure. • Independent studies and reporting requirements for all major satellite mega-constellations to share collision-avoidance and debris mitigation data. • International coordination and policy leadership to establish shared rules of the road in orbit, including debris mitigation, collision avoidance, and responsible deorbiting practices. Space is now a critical domain for communications, commerce, defense, and science. The risk of a cascading collision event is a threat to all of these interests, and federal policy has not kept pace with the rapid growth of satellites in orbit. I urge you to act now before a major collision triggers long-lasting damage to space infrastructure that our economy and security depend on.