SpaceX Launches “Stargaze,” a Free System to Prevent Satellite Collisions

January 30, 2026 - SpaceX has announced Stargaze, a new space-safety system that will provide free satellite collision warnings to every operator worldwide.

The move removes one of the biggest barriers to orbital safety: cost. Until now, collision-warning services known as Space Situational Awareness (SSA)-were either slow, government-run systems or expensive commercial subscriptions. Stargaze changes that by offering near-real-time collision alerts at no cost, using SpaceX’s own satellite network.

The system is expected to open to all satellite operators globally by spring 2026.

Why SpaceX Built Stargaze Now

Low Earth orbit is more crowded than ever. Thousands of satellites, especially large constellations, are operating in the same narrow altitude bands. As a result, warning times before potential collisions have collapsed dramatically.

In 2018, operators typically had months to respond to a potential collision. By 2025, that window had shrunk to less than a week.

At the same time, SpaceX’s Starlink constellation has been forced to perform collision-avoidance manoeuvres at unprecedented scale. In just the second half of 2025, Starlink satellites carried out around 149,000 avoidance manoeuvres, highlighting how difficult orbital traffic management has become.

Without faster detection and response, experts warn that a single major collision could trigger a chain reaction of debris, potentially making parts of Earth’s orbit unusable.

How Stargaze Works

Unlike traditional tracking systems that rely mainly on ground-based radar and telescopes, Stargaze uses SpaceX’s satellites themselves as sensors.

Each Starlink satellite carries star-tracking instruments used for navigation. Stargaze repurposes these sensors to observe nearby objects in orbit, creating a dense, space-based monitoring network.

Key technical features include:

• Around 9,600 Starlink satellites acting as observers
• Nearly 30,000 onboard star-tracking sensors collecting data continuously
• Detection of objects as small as 10 centimetres
• Automated orbit prediction and collision-risk analysis
• Collision warnings generated in minutes, not hours

This data is converted into standard Conjunction Data Messages (CDMs)—the same format used across the space industry-so operators can integrate alerts directly into their existing systems.

What Makes Stargaze Different

The biggest change Stargaze introduces is speed and accessibility.

Traditional SSA systems often run collision checks only once or twice per day. Stargaze updates trajectories continuously, allowing operators to react almost immediately if another satellite unexpectedly changes course.

SpaceX has already tested the system with more than a dozen satellite operators. In one documented test case, Stargaze detected an unexpected manoeuvre by a third-party satellite and issued updated warnings quickly enough for SpaceX to adjust its own satellite’s path within an hour—avoiding a near-collision.

The Cost Disruption

Until now, professional collision-avoidance services typically cost operators $10,000 to $50,000 per year, sometimes more. Smaller companies, universities, and space programs in developing countries often could not afford them.

With Stargaze:

• Collision warnings are free
• No subscription fees
• No per-satellite charges
• Open access planned for all operators

SpaceX says the marginal cost is low because the sensors are already installed for navigation, and the data processing is automated.

Strategic Implications for the Space Industry

By offering a free, fast, and global system, SpaceX is positioning itself as a central player in orbital safety-something traditionally handled by governments.

This raises important questions for the future of space operations:

• SpaceX becomes a de facto traffic coordinator for low Earth orbit
• Operators may grow dependent on a privately run safety system
• Governments and regulators may face pressure to define new oversight rules
• Commercial SSA providers could be pushed out of the market

While SpaceX says Stargaze is designed as a public-good safety system, its scale gives the company significant influence over how orbital traffic is managed.

What Stargaze Does Not Replace

Despite its advantages, Stargaze is not a complete replacement for all tracking systems.

• It is strongest in low Earth orbit, where Starlink operates
• It offers limited coverage for geostationary orbit (GEO) satellites
• Military and classified satellites may choose not to share full data

Most experts expect Stargaze to complement, not fully replace, existing government and international tracking networks.

Why This Matters

Orbital collisions are no longer theoretical risks. With tens of thousands of satellites planned for launch this decade, space safety now depends on real-time coordination.

By making collision warnings fast and free, SpaceX is effectively redefining the baseline for responsible satellite operations. Whether regulators embrace this model or move to limit private control over such critical infrastructure, will shape how space is governed in the years ahead.

For now, Stargaze marks a clear shift: orbital safety is no longer just a government function-it’s becoming a commercial infrastructure service.