Sakshi Tiwari
A team of Chinese scientists simulated a space operation targeting the Starlink constellation, proving that the massive network is not as invulnerable as originally believed, according to a new report in the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.
A peer-reviewed paper on the simulation, curated by the team led by Wu Yunhua, director of the aerospace control department at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, was reportedly published in the Chinese academic journal Systems Engineering and Electronics on January 3.
The computer simulation found that about 1,400 Starlink satellites could be successfully approached by just 99 Chinese satellites in about 12 hours. These satellites may be outfitted with lasers, microwaves, and other tools to carry out tracking, reconnaissance, and other operations.
“The potential military application value of the Starlink mega constellation has been highlighted in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In recent years, the militarization of space has intensified, posing a significant threat to China’s space security. It is particularly important to track and monitor its operational status,” wrote the project team.
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