Space traffic management: Large constellations

Large constellations of hundreds or thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit are a recent development that is both creating new space-based services and creating challenges for space traffic management especially considering the number of new constellations and corresponding satellites proposed. The large numbers of satellites, orders of magnitude beyond historic norms and the new modes of operations present a range of technical, policy and communications challenges. These challenges are discussed along with proposed and some implemented solutions. Several recommendations are made to improve the safety of large constellations while enabling continued innovation.