China has called on the United States to protect the space station from satellites. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Cao Licien made a statement on the subject. In a statement, Cao Licien accused the United States of ignoring its treaty obligations to protect the safety of the three-man crew on the Tiangong space station.
FROM CHINA to USA: “TAKE EMERGENCY MEASURES”
Reminding that SpaceX had to implement “collision control measures” in order to prevent Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX from hitting the space station in July and October, Cao Licien stated that the USA “must take urgent measures to prevent similar incidents from repeating”.
Cao said the Washington administration failed to meet its obligation to “protect the safety of astronauts” under the 1967 agreement on the peaceful use of space.
The US Embassy in Beijing did not respond to the request for precaution.
WHAT HAPPENED?
China complained to the United Nations (UN) Office of Space Affairs (UNOOSA) about Elon Musk, the founder of the automobile manufacturer Tesla and space technology company SpaceX, on the grounds that the satellites launched as part of the Starlink project pose a danger to the space station.
SpaceX plans to establish a network of 12 thousand satellites in earth orbit with Starlink satellites. The project is targeted to be completed in 2027.
(AA)