Russia is developing a space weapon to target Starlink satellites, report says

Russia is reportedly developing a space weapon designed to target the Starlink satellite network owned by Elon Musk.

According to a report by the Associated Press, based on intelligence data from two NATO countries, Russia is working on a weapon that could be used against the Starlink satellites providing communication in Ukraine.

Weapon will fill orbit with shrapnel particles

According to the data, the weapon, described as “space-based,” would function like shrapnel, filling the orbits where Starlink satellites are located with hundreds of thousands of small pellets.

These particles, each a few millimeters in diameter, are said to have the capability to disable many satellites simultaneously.

The intelligence data reveals that Russia views Starlink as a particularly serious threat. The network, consisting of thousands of low-orbit satellites, provides communication capabilities to the Ukrainian military, government agencies, and the civilian population.

In an assessment for the AP, Canadian Space Force Commander Brigadier General Christopher Horner stated that it is difficult to imagine how these particles could be concentrated to target only Starlink.

Horner, who was not familiar with the intelligence reports cited by the agency, said such an attack would “quickly get out of control.” He made the following statements on the matter:

“This type of attack would destroy all Starlink satellites and all other satellites operating in a similar mode. Furthermore, the debris would damage numerous satellites in these and lower orbits, including Russia’s own satellites, China’s Tiangong space station, and the International Space Station.”

Development timeline is kept secret

The intelligence reports do not contain information about when Russia might deploy such a system, whether it has been tested, or at what stage the research is.

An official familiar with the reports and other related intelligence data told the AP that the system is being actively developed, but information regarding the proposed deployment timeline is too sensitive to disclose.

On the other hand, some experts doubt that such a weapon is being developed. Victoria Samson, a space security expert at the Secure World Foundation who conducts an annual study on anti-satellite systems, suggested that she does not believe such weapons are being developed due to the collateral damage they could cause, and that it is likely just a research project.

Clayton Swope, a space security expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commented, “It certainly looks like a weapon designed to instill fear, act as a deterrent, or serve a similar purpose.”