最近，神舟十三號航天員乘組完成第二次出艙全部既定任務，大家在為中國的航天事業(yè)不斷進步欣喜之時，也關注到一條令人擔憂的新聞：美國“星鏈” 衛(wèi)星先后兩次接近中國空間站，空間站被迫實施機動緊急避碰。
據2021年12月3日中國常駐聯(lián)合國（維也納）代表團（Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations (Vienna)）致秘書長的普通照會文件顯示，根據《外空條約》的相關規(guī)定，中國向聯(lián)合國秘書長通報以下對中國空間站搭載的航天員生命健康構成危險的現(xiàn)象。
美國太空探索技術公司（SpaceX）發(fā)射的星鏈（starlink）衛(wèi)星先后兩次接近中國空間站。出于安全考慮，空間站組合體分別于 7 月 1 日和 10 月21 日實施對美國星鏈衛(wèi)星的預防性碰撞規(guī)避控制（“緊急避碰”）。
Starlink satellites launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) of the United States of America have had two close encounters with the China Space Station. For safety reasons, the China Space Station implemented preventive collision avoidance control on 1 July and 21 October 2021, respectively.
照會詳細介紹了這兩次情況：
第一次緊急避碰
星鏈-1095 衛(wèi)星自 2020 年 4 月 19 日起穩(wěn)定運行在平均高度約 555 千米的軌道上。2021 年 5 月 16 日至 6 月 24 日，該衛(wèi)星持續(xù)降軌機動至平均軌道高度 382千米后，保持在該軌道高度運行。7 月 1 日，該衛(wèi)星與中國空間站間出現(xiàn)近距離接近事件。出于安全考慮，中國空間站于 7 月 1 日晚主動采取緊急避碰，規(guī)避了兩目標碰撞風險。
As from 19 April 2020, the Starlink-1095 satellite had been travelling stably in orbit at an average altitude of around 555 km. Between 16 May and 24 June 2021, the Starlink-1095 satellite manoeuvred continuously to an orbit of around 382 km, and then stayed in that orbit. A close encounter occurred between the Starlink-1095 satellite and the China Space Station on 1 July 2021. For safety reasons, the China Space Station took the initiative to conduct an evasive manoeuvre in the evening of that day to avoid a potential collision between the two spacecraft.
第二次緊急避碰
2021 年 10 月 21 日，星鏈-2305 衛(wèi)星與中國空間站發(fā)生近距離接近事件。鑒于該衛(wèi)星處于連續(xù)軌道機動狀態(tài)，機動策略未知且無法評估軌道誤差，存在與空間站碰撞風險。為確保在軌航天員安全，中國空間站于當日再次實施緊急避碰，規(guī)避了兩目標碰撞風險。
On 21 October 2021, the Starlink-2305 satellite had a subsequent close encounter with the China Space Station. As the satellite was continuously manoeuvring, the manoeuvre strategy was unknown and orbital errors were hard to be assessed, there was thus a collision risk between the Starlink-2305 satellite and the China Space Station. To ensure the safety and lives of in-orbit astronauts, the China Space Station performed an evasive manoeuvre again on the same day to avoid a potential collision between the two spacecraft.
中方請聯(lián)合國秘書長將上述情況周知《外空條約》各締約國，并提請各締約國注意，根據《外空條約》第 6 條，“各締約國對其（不論是政府部門，還是非政府的團體組織）在外層空間（包括月球和其他天體）所從事的活動，要承擔國際責任，并應負責保證本國活動的實施符合本條約的規(guī)定。”
In view of the foregoing, China wishes to request the Secretary-General of the United Nations to circulate the above-mentioned information to all States parties to the Outer Space Treaty and bring to their attention that, in accordance with article VI of the Treaty, “States Parties to the Treaty shall bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, whether such activities are carried on by governmental agencies or by non-governmental entities, and for assuring that national activities are carried out in conformity with the provisions set forth in the present Treaty.”
這是11月7日在北京航天飛行控制中心拍攝的神舟十三號航天員翟志剛、王亞平同時在艙外操作的場景。新華社發(fā)（郭中正 攝）
航天專家黃志澄在接受《環(huán)球時報》時表示，“星鏈”衛(wèi)星軌道平均高度在550公里左右，降軌可能是為了增強衛(wèi)星星座在局部地區(qū)的通訊性能。此外，還有一種可能性就是借此探測中方的太空感知能力，測試中方是否能夠準確的掌握它們的行動。
Huang Zhicheng, a senior expert on aerospace science and technology, told the Global Times on Monday that the Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX had always orbited an altitude of around 550 kilometers. According to the note, China implemented preventive collision avoidance control during the two occasions because the Starlink satellites descended to lower orbits, which could be to enhance satellites' regional communication capacity. "But we can't rule out the possibility that the move is intended to test China's capacity in space to check whether China can accurately grasp the satellites' actions," Huang said.
據路透社報道，現(xiàn)在地球軌道上大約有3萬顆人造衛(wèi)星及其他殘骸，科學家呼吁各國政府分享數據降低太空碰撞的風險。在這其中，SpaceX公司一家就部署了大約1900顆衛(wèi)星用于服務其“星鏈”網絡，而且還計劃部署更多衛(wèi)星。
With nearly 30,000 satellites and other debris believed to be orbiting the planet, scientists have urged governments to share data to reduce the risk of catastrophic space collisions. SpaceX alone has deployed nearly 1,900 satellites to serve its Starlink broadband network, and is planning more.
美國宇航局也在11月底被迫取消過一次太空行走活動，理由是太空殘骸可能帶來的危險。
U.S. space agency NASA was forced to abruptly call off a spacewalk at the end of November, citing risks posed by space debris.
路透社稱SpaceX方面尚未就此做出回應。
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
12月28日，外交部發(fā)言人趙立堅在例行記者會上回答了相關問題。
趙立堅：
“我可以負責任地向大家證實，今年7月和10月，美國太空探索技術公司發(fā)射的星鏈衛(wèi)星先后兩次接近中國空間站。在此期間，中國航天員正在空間站內執(zhí)行任務。出于安全考慮，中國空間站采取了緊急避碰措施。”
"I can confirm that Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX of the US had two close encounters with the China Space Station in July and October this year respectively when Chinese astronauts were working there. For safety considerations, the China Space Station implemented preventive collision avoidance control."
圖源：外交部網站
“1967年《外空條約》是公認的當前外空領域國際法基石。該條約規(guī)定，航天員是全人類派往外層空間的使節(jié)，各國應尊重、保護航天員安全，并將在外空發(fā)現(xiàn)的對航天員生命或健康構成危險的現(xiàn)象通知聯(lián)合國秘書長或其他締約國；各國還應為其國內私人公司的一切外空活動承擔責任。為履行條約義務，維護航天員生命安全，中國政府于12月3日通過中國常駐維也納代表團向聯(lián)合國秘書長通報了上述危險情況和中方采取的措施，并請秘書長周知各締約國。美國口口聲聲宣稱所謂‘負責任外空行為’概念，自己卻無視外空國際條約義務，對航天員生命安全造成嚴重威脅，這是典型的雙重標準。”
“The 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which is widely recognized as the cornerstone of international space law, stipulates that 'States Parties to the Treaty shall regard astronauts as envoys of mankind in outer space'; respect and protect their safety; 'immediately inform the other States Parties to the Treaty or the Secretary-General of the United Nations of any phenomena they discover in outer space ... which could constitute a danger to the life or health of astronauts'; and 'bear international responsibility for national activities in outer space' conducted by their private companies. To fulfill its Treaty obligations and ensure the safety of astronauts, the Chinese government informed the UN Secretary-General of the above dangerous phenomena as well as the measures taken by the Chinese side on December 3 through its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Vienna and requested the Secretary-General to circulate the information to all States Parties. The US claims to be a strong advocate for the concept of 'responsible behavior in outer space', but it disregarded its Treaty obligations and posed a grave threat to the safety of astronauts. This is typical double standard.”
“探索與和平利用外空是全人類共同的事業(yè)。中方始終本著為全人類謀福利的精神和平利用外空。美方應該尊重以國際法為基礎的外空國際秩序，立即采取措施防止此類事件再次發(fā)生，采取負責任的態(tài)度維護在軌航天員的生命安全和空間設施的安全穩(wěn)定運行。”
"Exploration and peaceful uses of outer space is a common cause of all humanity. Guided by the vision of advancing the welfare of all, China is committed to peaceful uses of space. The US should respect international order in space based on international law, take prompt measures to prevent such incidents from recurring, and act responsibly to safeguard the safety of in-orbit astronauts and the safe and steady operation of space facilities."
綜合來源：Global Times，路透社，外交部網站
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