When a satellite gets a warning that a piece of debris may pass close by, how does the operator decide whether to change its orbit? I’m curious what information goes into that call, especially when the object is small or its tracked position is uncertain.
Does a satellite conjunction warning usually lead to a planned maneuver, or can operators wait for more tracking data first? I’d also like to understand how they weigh collision risk against the fuel and mission disruption involved in moving the spacecraft.