Starling 1/5 is a demonstration of an approach for space traffic management (STM) between two cooperative swarms/constellations with onboard conjunction assessment (CA) and collision avoidance (COLA) capabilities via a software update of the existing Starling spacecraft swarm.

This effort initiated in April 2024, at the end of the Starling 1.0 project. The space environment, particularly low-Earth orbit (LEO), is undergoing rapid changes due to the rise of commercial ventures like mega-constellations, which consist of numerous satellites. These developments make new technologies essential for maintaining space sustainability. The Starling 1.5 project is a follow-on mission to NASA’s Starling 1.0 swarm technology demonstration. Starling 1.5 aims to address the growing challenge of STM by showcasing how space traffic coordination (STC) can be achieved between two independently operated constellations or swarms of satellites.

The principal technology focus of this project is the creation of a space-traffic coordination hub. This hub will help operators of large satellite groups identify potential collision risks, known as conjunction events, and facilitate coordination for necessary evasive maneuvers. As constellations grow in size and complexity, the ability to autonomously plan and carry out maneuvers becomes increasingly important. The system is especially relevant when multiple constellations are using autonomous COLA systems, as it will allow for real-time screening and coordination to prevent accidents.

The foundation for this space traffic coordination hub comes from NASA Ames Research Center's prior work in air traffic management for unmanned aerial vehicles in crowded airspaces. Starling 1.5 will be the first project to demonstrate this system's effectiveness for space, providing a scalable solution that can handle large constellations and support autonomous maneuvering onboard satellites.

As space exploration expands beyond Earth's orbit, this STC technology could be adapted for managing traffic in the Cis-lunar region, where spacecraft travel between Earth and the Moon. The coordination hub could be extended to monitor spacecraft, lunar satellites, and other assets operating in this emerging traffic zone, ensuring safe maneuvering, and preventing collisions. As autonomous technologies become prevalent in the Cis-lunar region, the system could provide seamless integration for managing traffic flow between Earth, the Moon, and deep space missions, supporting long-term lunar operations and beyond.

Space traffic coordination (STC) is becoming increasingly important in LEO due to the surge in satellite deployments, particularly from commercial mega-constellations like Starlink. These constellations consist of thousands of satellites, dramatically increasing the number of objects in orbit. This rise in traffic creates a higher risk of collisions, leading to potential damage to satellites and the creation of space debris. Space debris, in turn, poses a further threat to operational satellites including current and future manned spaceflight missions.

As more satellites incorporate autonomous maneuvering technologies to avoid collisions or optimize positioning for science measurements, there is a growing need for systems that can coordinate these actions in an automated way. Without effective STC, the increasingly congested environment in LEO could result in more frequent conjunction events and uncoordinated maneuvers, heightening the risk of accidents and compromising the sustainability of space operations. Effective space traffic coordination ensures safer operations, reduces the risk of collisions, and preserves the long-term sustainability of the space environment, enabling continued exploration and commercial use of space.