What if Starlink‘s 6,000 satellites were becoming spies for China? This hypothesis is far from far-fetched since Chinese researchers have used the constellation of SpaceX’s satellite communications service to track American fighter jets.
Tests were conducted under the supervision of the Chinese government’s National Radio Control Center off the coast of Guangdong in the southern sea. To simulate American F-22s, China used DJI Phantom 4 Pro drones, according to Interesting Engineering.
Disruption of signals between satellites and receivers tracked by China
Table of Contents
- 1 Disruption of signals between satellites and receivers tracked by China
- 2 China cannot use this system for military applications at the moment
- 3 How could Starlink satellites potentially enhance China’s military surveillance capabilities?
- 4 **What Are the Potential Risks of Starlink Technology Being Used for Surveillance?**
Table of Contents
This choice is explained by an equivalent radar section, that is to say that the two aircraft have the same surface that can be detected by radars. Fighter planes seek to reduce this surface using specific paints to absorb radar waves, but especially by their design. The curves of their fuselage make it possible to largely avoid returning radar waves.
Ukraine – Russia: Military aircraft of the war
In order to detect their targets, the Chinese researchers used a specific feature that links satellites in orbit to their receivers on Earth. When this link is crossed by an aircraft, a forward dispersion of electromagnetic waves is created and disrupts the signal. However, if this disruption is captured and analyzed, it can be used as a detector.
This concept is not new since Russian engineers demonstrated it in 2015 during an international university conference, underlines South China Morning Post. But in almost ten years, things have changed a lot. This technique, which was originally intended to detect drones, can be deployed on a large scale since 2019, the American company SpaceX has been constantly placing its own satellites in orbit. There are more than 6,000 of them today.
China cannot use this system for military applications at the moment
The only problem is that the Starlink service is not available in China. But according to Professor Jianxin Yi of the School of Electronic Information at Wuhan University, it would be particularly easy to build a Starlink satellite with cheap and easy-to-acquire components. These devices have a rotating antenna and emit radio signals of up to 220 Mbps.
“Low-orbit satellite signals have the advantage of being all-weather, interregional and inexpensive, allowing them to be combined with covert forward-scattering radars.”says Jianxin Yi, whose work is published in the Journal of Signal Processing Systems.
But for now, the Chinese researchers’ home antenna is only the size of a frying pan, and the drones used as targets have only flown at very low altitudes. It is therefore impossible today to use this process in the context of military actions. Nevertheless, the experiment has made it possible to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the system, assures the Chinese professor. Improvements are therefore expected before the device fully enters into the hunt for drones and fighter planes.
How could Starlink satellites potentially enhance China’s military surveillance capabilities?
The Sinister Potential of Starlink Satellites: China’s Stealth Detection System
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on satellite technology, concerns about the potential misuse of these systems are growing. One such concern revolves around the possibility of China using SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation to detect and track American stealth fighter jets. While this may seem like the stuff of science fiction, recent tests conducted by Chinese researchers have shown that this scenario is not only possible but also alarming.
The Experiment: Tracking “Stealth” Drones with Starlink
Chinese researchers, under the supervision of the National Radio Control Center, conducted a series of tests off the coast of Guangdong in the southern sea. The experiments involved using DJI Phantom 4 Pro drones, which were used to simulate American F-22s, and the Starlink satellite constellation to detect and track these “stealth” aircraft. The results were remarkable, with the researchers successfully detecting the drones using the disruption of signals between the Starlink satellites and receivers on Earth.
Disrupting Signals: The Key to Detection
The technique used by the Chinese researchers relies on the disruption of electromagnetic waves caused by an aircraft crossing the link between the Starlink satellites and their receivers on Earth. This forward dispersion of electromagnetic waves creates a detectable signal that can be analyzed to identify the presence of an aircraft. While this concept is not new, the scale and accessibility of the Starlink constellation make it a game-changer.
A Sinister Potential: Mass Surveillance
The implications of this technology are far-reaching and disturbing. With over 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, China could potentially use this system to track and detect American stealth fighter jets on a massive scale. This would give China a significant advantage in terms of military surveillance, allowing them to detect and respond to potential threats with unprecedented accuracy.
The Limitations of Current Technology
While the concept is alarming, there are currently limitations to its deployment. The Starlink service is not available in China, and the Chinese government would need to develop its own satellite system or find a way to access the Starlink constellation. Additionally, the technology is not yet advanced enough to be used for military applications.
The Possibility of a Homegrown Starlink System
However, Chinese researchers are confident that they could develop a Starlink-like system using cheap and easily accessible components. Professor Jianxin Yi of Wuhan University has suggested that building a Starlink satellite would be relatively simple, requiring only a rotating antenna and radio signals of up to 220 Mbps.
The Future of Stealth Technology
The development of this technology raises important questions about the future of stealth technology. If China can use Starlink satellites to detect and track American stealth fighter jets, what does this mean for the future of military surveillance? Will the development of new stealth technologies be able to keep pace with the advances in detection systems?
Conclusion
The potential misuse of Starlink satellites is a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible innovation. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with satellite technology, we must also consider the potential risks and consequences of our actions. The development of a Starlink-like system by China could have far-reaching implications for global security, and it is essential that we address these concerns head-on.
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**What Are the Potential Risks of Starlink Technology Being Used for Surveillance?**
What if Starlink’s 6,000 Satellites Became Spies for China?
In a chilling scenario, Chinese researchers have successfully used SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation to track American fighter jets, raising concerns about the potential misuse of this technology. With over 6,000 satellites in orbit, the possibility of Starlink becoming a surveillance tool for China is no longer far-fetched.
Disruption of Signals between Satellites and Receivers Tracked by China
The researchers, under the supervision of the Chinese government’s National Radio Control Center, conducted tests off the coast of Guangdong in the southern sea. They used DJI Phantom 4 Pro drones to simulate American F-22s and were able to track them by analyzing the disruption of signals between Starlink satellites and receivers on Earth.
This innovative technique exploits a specific feature of satellite communications, where the link between satellites in orbit and receivers on Earth can be disrupted by the presence of an aircraft. By capturing and analyzing this disruption, China can potentially detect stealth fighter jets, which are designed to evade radar detection.
China Cannot Use This System for Military Applications at the Moment
However, there is a silver lining – Starlink’s services are not currently available in China. But, according to Professor Jianxin Yi of Wuhan University, building a similar satellite system using cheap and easily accessible components is a feasible option. These devices would have rotating antennas and emit radio signals of up to 220 Mbps, making them potentially useful for military surveillance.
How Could Starlink Satellites Potentially Enhance China’s Military Surveillance Capabilities?
The researchers’ innovative approach has far-reaching implications for military surveillance. If China were to develop its own satellite constellation, similar to Starlink, it could potentially track and detect stealth fighter jets on a large scale. This would give China a significant advantage in military surveillance, allowing it to detect and respond to enemy aircraft more effectively.
Moreover, the low-orbit satellite signals have the advantage of being all-weather, interregional, and inexpensive, making them an attractive option for military surveillance. As Professor Jianxin Yi notes, “Low-orbit satellite signals have the advantage of being all-weather, interregional and inexpensive, allowing them to be combined with covert forward-scattering radars.”
While the current setup is limited to a small-scale experiment, the potential implications of this technology are significant. If China were to develop and deploy a similar satellite constellation, it could become a game-changer in military surveillance.
**What Does the Future
