China warns Elon Musk about Starlink project! It says its laser submarines can hunt down its satellites.
Recent research by PLA scientists claims that PLA submarines equipped with laser weapons would be able to destroy SpaceX’s Starlink satellites if China’s security is threatened.
The study shows that submarines equipped with megawatt solid-state laser weapons could fire at satellites underwater and retract their “photoelectric masts” before diving back to the seafloor.
In a peer-reviewed paper published last month in the Chinese journal Command Control and Simulation, the project team led by Naval Submarine Academy professor Wang Dan proposed that this type of laser attack submarine could be mass-produced by 2017. Different ways to deploy on the ocean in the future to deal with China’s military threats. A report in the South China Morning Post revealed details of the study.
The scientists concluded that hiding the attack – rather than shooting down satellites – is the biggest challenge for anti-satellite operations. “Currently, the main means of anti-satellite operations rely on surface-to-air missiles, but this approach has some problems, especially in terms of concealment,” Wang and her colleagues wrote in the report.
Opponents easily detect anti-satellite operations conducted from the ground. Rocket launches often leave large smoke trails, the report explained. Attacking from shallow depths makes it easier to detect one’s position, thus creating opportunities for enemy artillery to launch attacks. The group declared this “risky,” adding that the fact that these satellites are getting smaller does not help.
“If we take the satellites launched by the Starlink program as an example, they are numerous, crowded, and small in size, which makes the satellite network very resilient. Even if a large number of satellites are destroyed, there are still many satellites. Therefore, attacking such “these satellites with missiles is very ineffective.” “Submarine laser weapons can solve these problems.”
What Space Researchers Found?
Space researchers and analysts have repeatedly warned that directed energy weapons, including powerful microwave systems and lasers, could target satellites in low Earth orbit. This is also the only way to deal with the large number of such targets.
Earlier, China claimed to have developed a compact power supply that could significantly reduce the size of high-power microwave weapons capable of shooting down satellites. According to researchers, the device can generate up to 10 gigawatts of energy at a frequency of 10 pulses per second.
Chinese researchers are not the only ones who have proposed that submarines destroy satellites. A special article published by the U.S. Naval Institute earlier this year emphasized the stealth role played by submarines in launching anti-satellite attacks.
The article noted that “satellite constellations in low Earth orbit are most vulnerable to anti-satellite weapons. Such as the direct ascent interceptor demonstrated by the United States in Operation Burn Frost. “These direct-ascent interceptors are expensive, and the large number of nearby targets would severely limit their usefulness in a great power war, the author warned.
The article noted that nuclear-powered submarines equipped with directed energy anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons would be able to participate in offensive space warfare. Due to the operational reliability of mature directed energy technology.
The PLA’s latest research also includes a step-by-step guide to attacking Starlink-like satellites from the sea.
A step-by-step guide to rooting Starlink?
To perform the mission, one or more laser-equipped submarines are first sent to the sea area. The submarine enters the designated sea area in accordance with the command instructions and waits for the satellite to enter its attack range. The rise time of the laser weapon is adjusted according to the satellite time obtained previously.
When the satellite reaches the attackable range, the laser weapon will rise. “Due to the limitations of submarine detection equipment, other forces are needed to provide satellite position guidance for submarines to attack satellites. After the attack is completed, the submarine can dive into the water to wait for the next mission or return to the home port. ”
Interestingly, while the latest PLA study specifically mentions Starlink, it does not explain why it threatens China’s security. However, previous reports have suggested that China is wary of SpaceX building a “spy satellites” network for the United States.
In addition, another report from PLA researchers a few weeks ago said China is analyzing Starlink’s role in a potential emergency in Taiwan.
Why is Ukraine Using Starlink?
Ukraine is using the Starlink system to counter Russian aggression. This system connects low-orbit satellites to mobile user terminals and provides faster internet access than other satellite services.
Over the past two years, Chinese People’s Liberation Army scholars have studied how SpaceX’s Starlink satellites can help secure Ukraine’s military communications. As the country defends itself against Russian aggression. There are widespread concerns that Taiwan will also gain access to Starlink terminals. If China invades, Taiwan could take action against China.
The main purpose of Starlink satellites is communications. However, some Chinese military experts have expressed concerns that future Starlink satellites could carry additional payloads for military operations. Such as electronic jamming and reconnaissance.
Such concerns have intensified with SpaceX and the Pentagon’s joint launch of the “Star Shield” program. Which is said to be designed to track China’s hypersonic weapons.
In 2021, two Starlink satellites came dangerously close to the Chinese space station, prompting astronauts to begin emergency evacuation procedures. The incident convinced Beijing that the United States could use these low-cost satellites to target expensive Chinese space assets.
Earlier, a study conducted by Ren Yuanzhen, a researcher at the Beijing Tracking and Communication Research Institute of the Strategic Support Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, said that if SpaceX’s Starlink satellites threaten national security, China should be able to disable or destroy them.
The study published in the domestic peer-reviewed journal Modern Defense Technology said that “a combination of soft kill and hard kill should be adopted to disable some Starlink satellites and destroy the constellation operating system.”
Final Thoughts
Starlink is sometimes called unbreakable because it can operate normally even if one satellite is lost, although the number of satellites in orbit has exceeded 2,300 and is still increasing. Chinese analysts expect that they may turn against China in the event of a future conflict.
