Researchers Suggest China ‘Suppress’ Starlink Using Own Satellite Constellation

A group of Chinese researchers is suggesting China launch its own satellite constellation to “suppress” SpaceX’s Starlink system. 

Researchers at China’s Space Engineering University—which operates under the People’s Liberation Army—floated the recommendation in a new paper(Opens in a new window) discussing “countermeasures” against Starlink. The South China Morning Post was first to report(Opens in a new window) the news. 

Although Starlink was built to supply high-speed internet to users across the globe, China has been concerned the same system could be used to conduct worldwide surveillance. The Starlink satellite constellation is currently made up of nearly 3,700 satellites, but SpaceX has plans to launch thousands of additional satellites. The company is also starting to expand the Starlink technology to military and government applications.

In the paper, the Chinese researchers argue SpaceX’s Starlink is “staking out its own turf” by filling Earth’s orbit with thousands of satellites. So in response, the researchers argue China should do the same with its own satellite constellation. This could allow the country to essentially seize low-Earth orbital territory from Starlink, which operates about 550 kilometers (342 miles) above the planet.  

“Second, China’s giant constellations could be deployed in orbits where the ‘Starlink’ constellations have not yet been deployed, gain a head start and advantage in other orbital heights, and even suppress the ‘Starlink’ constellations,” the researchers wrote. The rival satellite constellation from China could also be equipped to monitor Starlink satellites in orbit. 

However, the paper refrains from calling on China to develop ways to physically destroy Starlink. The paper points out that trying to blow up Starlink could result in a massive amount of orbital debris, “thereby destroying the sustainability of the space environment and preventing subsequent spacecraft from entering space.”

So instead, the researchers argue China should develop ways to “soft damage” or disable Starlink satellites in orbit. This could involve using lasers or high-power microwaves to disrupt the equipment on board.

“It is also possible to take advantage of the inter-satellite interconnection of the ‘Starlink’ satellites and the characteristics of providing internet communication services to take measures such as network interference, network intrusion, and network control on the ‘Starlink’ satellites, thereby paralyzing its communication network,” the researchers add. 

China has already(Opens in a new window) taken some steps to build its own satellite “mega constellation.” In 2021, the country filed(Opens in a new window) applications(Opens in a new window) with the International Telecommunication Union for a constellation code-named “GW,” which will span at least 12,992 satellites. But it remains unclear when the satellites will begin launching.