China and Russia fear the Starlink global satellite internet system, saying Elon Musk’s company could use the satellites for military purposes. Moreover, they believe SpaceX has already done this to some extent by giving the Ukrainian military access to the technology.

what is known

Satellite technology is very difficult to resist. Therefore, scientists are actively involved in the search for new ways of warfare, in particular the creation of anti-satellite weapons.

A nuclear explosion in near space could create a radioactive cloud over an area the size of New York state, damaging or destroying Earth-orbiting satellites, according to new computer simulations.

According to Chinese researchers, the ions produced during the explosion will at least temporarily disable satellites or disrupt communications. If detonated at an altitude of 80 kilometers, the nuclear cloud will rise to 500 kilometers, the altitude at which the satellites are located, in a matter of minutes. – and it will hurt many. In this way, it is possible to neutralize hundreds and thousands of satellites in a certain orbit with a single warhead and practically not harm “friendly” vehicles.

Fortunately, this is just a suggestion for now, but its very existence is alarming and makes it clear that China is not sitting idly by.