Reports have emerged that Chinese scientists have presented a compact microwave device capable of influencing the operation of low-orbit satellites, including the Starlink system. This was reported by the South China Morning Post, and the information on the topic is being widely discussed on social media.
It was reported that the system developed at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technologies in Xi'an is called TPG1000Cs, and some experts are sensationably describing it as the "Starlink killer." The device relies on high-power microwave (HPM) technology: it has been recorded that it can emit up to 20 GW of pulses for 60 seconds. That is, theoretically, there is a possibility of serious disruptions in the operation of low-orbit communication and observation satellites.
According to reports, experts believe that a power of around 1 GW could be sufficient to significantly disrupt or damage the activities of Starlink satellites operating in low orbit, while the new device's performance is several times higher. Its size is also noteworthy: its length is about 4 meters, and its weight is about 5 tons. Therefore, it is noted that the system can be installed on a truck, a warship, an airplane, and even on a satellite on certain platforms.
It's noteworthy that previous similar microwave systems typically couldn't operate continuously for more than 3 seconds and were said to be quite coarse. It is noted that TPG1000Cs is capable of transmitting several thousand high-energy pulses in one session and has shown stability in long-term tests.
In short, it's not just a "buzz" - it's a trend: as space infrastructure (communication, navigation, internet) strengthens, technologies aimed at "turning it off" are also accelerating. Scientific progress, but the plot is a bit "cyberpunk."
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