China builds ‘Starlink killer’ that can damage satellites with 60-second bursts
The space industry has been revolutionized in recent years with the launch of numerous satellite constellations, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, which aims to provide global internet coverage. However, with the increasing number of satellites in low Earth orbit, the risk of interference and even intentional damage has become a significant concern. In a disturbing development, China’s Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology has developed a compact driver for a high-power microwave weapon that can potentially damage Starlink satellites operating in low Earth orbit.
According to reports, the device, known as the TPG1000C, is a high-power microwave generator that can deliver up to 20 GW of power for a minute. Weighing five tonnes, the TPG1000C is a compact system that can be easily transported and deployed. The device is capable of delivering up to 3,000 high-energy pulses in a single session, making it a formidable tool for disrupting or even destroying satellites in low Earth orbit.
The TPG1000C is designed to operate in the frequency range of 2.5-3.5 GHz, which is the same frequency range used by Starlink satellites. This means that the device can potentially interfere with or even damage Starlink satellites, disrupting their ability to provide internet connectivity. The fact that the TPG1000C can deliver 60-second bursts of high-power microwave energy makes it an even more significant threat, as it could potentially overwhelm the defenses of a satellite and cause irreparable damage.
The development of the TPG1000C has significant implications for the space industry, particularly for companies like SpaceX, which operates the Starlink constellation. The ability of China to develop a high-power microwave weapon that can damage or destroy satellites in low Earth orbit raises concerns about the safety and security of space-based assets. It also highlights the need for greater cooperation and regulation in the space industry to prevent the misuse of such technologies.
The use of high-power microwave weapons against satellites is not a new concept. In the past, the United States and the Soviet Union have developed and tested similar technologies, including the use of high-power microwave beams to disable or destroy satellites. However, the development of the TPG1000C by China is a significant escalation, as it demonstrates the country’s ability to develop and deploy advanced technologies that can potentially disrupt the operations of satellites in low Earth orbit.
The development of the TPG1000C also raises concerns about the potential for an arms race in space. As countries develop and deploy more advanced technologies, including high-power microwave weapons, the risk of conflict in space increases. This could have significant implications for the global economy and national security, as the disruption of satellite communications and navigation systems could have far-reaching consequences.
In response to the development of the TPG1000C, the international community must come together to establish clear guidelines and regulations for the use of space-based technologies. This includes the development of norms and standards for the use of high-power microwave weapons, as well as the establishment of mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing compliance.
In conclusion, the development of the TPG1000C by China’s Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology is a significant development that highlights the growing risks and challenges in the space industry. The ability of China to develop a high-power microwave weapon that can damage or destroy satellites in low Earth orbit raises concerns about the safety and security of space-based assets and the potential for an arms race in space. As the international community, we must come together to establish clear guidelines and regulations for the use of space-based technologies and to prevent the misuse of such technologies.
News source: https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/china-builds-microwave-weapon-that-can-take-down-starlink-satellites/tldr
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