An avoidance maneuver applies a deliberate delta-V to change the satellite's trajectory and move the predicted TCA miss distance outside the risk threshold.
An avoidance maneuver applies a deliberate delta-V to change the satellite's trajectory and move the predicted TCA miss distance outside the risk threshold.
Delta-V (ΔV) is the change in velocity your thruster applies. Even tiny ΔVs — a few cm/s — compound into kilometres of separation by TCA.
Moving out of the way of one object can create new conjunctions with others — operators must check post-maneuver orbits against the full catalog.
Maneuver authority sits with the satellite operator — no international body mandates action.
The decision involves Pc confidence, maneuver cost, mission timing, and post-maneuver catalog screening. There is no perfect playbook.