Joan Cros/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe close calls have led to criticism of Elon Musk's internet satellite company.www.BusinessInsider.co.zaChina issued a formal complaint to the United Nations over two near-collisions involving SpaceX's satellites and its Tiangong space station, launching a spate of Chinese criticism against Elon Musk's internet service company.
In the first incident, Starlink dropped from an orbiting altitude of around 555km to 382km from May 16 to June 24. According to a document posted on thewebsite, the drop in altitude led to a"collision risk" between Starlink and the Tiangong space station on July 1. According to the UN notice, the Chinese space station conducted an"evasive maneuver" to"avoid a potential collision between the two spacecraft," according to the UN notice.