Chinese researchers are currently dedicating significant effort to constructing and deploying a substantial network of satellites in the near-Earth or low-Earth orbit, with the aim of delivering internet services globally. The primary goal of this endeavor is to counter Elon Musk’s Starlink and maintain its control.
Dubbed “GW,” the project is under the supervision of Associate Professor Xu Can, who works at Beijing’s Space Engineering University of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Nevertheless, it remains unclear what the initials GW stand for at this time.
The GW Constellation
As per a publication in the Chinese journal Command Control and Simulation on February 15, Associate Professor Xu Can and his team declared that the GW satellite system, which is owned by the recently established China Satellite Network Group Co., will encompass precisely 12,992 satellites. The main objective of this project, which includes anti-Starlink measures, is yet to have a set launch date. However, once deployed, it will be comparable in number to SpaceX’s proposed network of more than 12,000 satellites by 2027.
The GW satellite array is expected to be swiftly deployed, “before the full deployment of Musk’s Starlink,” according to Xu’s team. This measure aims to “secure China’s position in low orbit and prevent the Starlink constellation from inappropriately occupying low-orbit resources.”
Going beyond Musk’s Starlink
According to the experts, the Chinese satellites have the potential to be positioned in orbits that have yet to be reached by the Starlink constellation. This would offer them additional opportunities and benefits at different orbital heights, which could also impede Starlink’s activities. Furthermore, the Chinese spacecraft may feature an anti-Starlink payload that could perform various functions, including “close-range, long-term monitoring of Starlink satellites,” as stated in the report.
However, this goes against a recent publication by the China National Space Administration, which advocated for cooperation among communication satellite networks and warned against potential harm that could result from competing networks.
Starlin k as a threat to Chinese National Security
SpaceX has disclosed that its current Starlink network comprises over 3,000 satellites, with plans to expand to more than 40,000 eventually, although no specific timeline has been set.
Xu’s team argued that China’s space monitoring and defense capabilities are incapable of handling such a massive number of spacecraft. As per their publication, the Starlink satellites can access data from the US Department of Defense to determine or synchronize their locations, and they are equipped with surveillance equipment to monitor the space environment.
More Read
The researchers added, “The Starlink satellites may use their orbital manoeuvrability to actively hit and destroy nearby targets in space.” The team also revealed that China intends to construct more powerful radar systems, fuelled by new technology, to detect and track Starlink satellites.
According to the experts, the radar and other tracking measures will be used to create a “Starlink catalogue,” which will hold comprehensive data on every satellite. Xu’s team proposed that the Chinese government could join forces with other nations to create an anti-Starlink alliance and “demand that SpaceX reveal the exact orbiting data of Starlink satellites.”
Furthermore, they stated that new weapons such as lasers and high-powered microwaves would be created and deployed to destroy Starlink satellites that pass over China or other vulnerable regions.
Starlink’s effect on the Russia-Ukraine war has scared China
China’s efforts to counter Starlink coincide with increasing concerns about the potential military applications of the global satellite network. During Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, the technology was used to improve communications, and SpaceX took steps earlier this month to restrict its use in operating military drones in the country.
More Read
The Ukrainian military has effectively employed Starlink systems against Russian troops. Since the conflict began, Chinese military researchers have repeatedly advocated for the development of capabilities to destroy Starlink if necessary.
On February 13, SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced that the company would restrict the military use of Starlink in the Ukrainian conflict because “we will not allow an escalation of conflict that could result in World War III.”
