"developing a new anti-satellite weapon" seems a laughably overblown description, when the supposed weapon amounts to little more than a box full of BB's, with a couple sticks of dynamite in the middle to spread 'em out in orbit. If they had a suitable rocket ready to launch, then a good-enough warhead could probably be designed from first principles, fabricated, and launched within 24 hours.
But from a Russian PoV - considering such weapons, and leaking that fact, could be an extremely cheap and credible method of sabre-rattling.
(Vs. actually using such weapons against Musk's constellation would be a clear attack on America's interests and capabilities, and would draw a very harsh reaction. Outside of WWIII or WWIII-lite scenarios, it'd be a Bad Move.)
I’d be more impressed with something that could pump enough energy into a StarLink satellite from the ground to disable it during its orbit over ground Russia (or China) controls, but I’m unsure if we’re there yet, as 550km is a lot of distance to cover with directed energy considering the short period of visibility during a pass.
I'd assume that both China and Russia are routinely experimenting with "orbital tracking radars". Which might "accidentally" hit various satellites with overly energetic EMP pulses at times.
i thought starlink was using a low orbit that separated it from most other objects and would cause relatively rapid decay of debris. are there other objects in that orbit we should care about?
"developing a new anti-satellite weapon" seems a laughably overblown description, when the supposed weapon amounts to little more than a box full of BB's, with a couple sticks of dynamite in the middle to spread 'em out in orbit. If they had a suitable rocket ready to launch, then a good-enough warhead could probably be designed from first principles, fabricated, and launched within 24 hours.
But from a Russian PoV - considering such weapons, and leaking that fact, could be an extremely cheap and credible method of sabre-rattling.
(Vs. actually using such weapons against Musk's constellation would be a clear attack on America's interests and capabilities, and would draw a very harsh reaction. Outside of WWIII or WWIII-lite scenarios, it'd be a Bad Move.)
I’d be more impressed with something that could pump enough energy into a StarLink satellite from the ground to disable it during its orbit over ground Russia (or China) controls, but I’m unsure if we’re there yet, as 550km is a lot of distance to cover with directed energy considering the short period of visibility during a pass.
https://npolicy.org/coping-with-the-ground-based-laser-asat-...
https://theprint.in/defence/these-futuristic-chinese-space-d...
I'd assume that both China and Russia are routinely experimenting with "orbital tracking radars". Which might "accidentally" hit various satellites with overly energetic EMP pulses at times.
i thought starlink was using a low orbit that separated it from most other objects and would cause relatively rapid decay of debris. are there other objects in that orbit we should care about?