Why Starlink should be concerned about China's latest defence technology invention

China has unveiled a new piece of military-related technology, with nuclear scientists noting in a recent study that it could one day be used to interfere with satellite networks such as Starlink.

Researchers at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology (NINT), a facility in Xi’an linked to the Chinese military, say they have developed what they describe as the world’s smallest driver for a high-power microwave (HPM) weapon—a system that could potentially be used to disrupt Elon Musk’s satellite network, according to an article by the South China Morning Post.

The device, known as TPG1000Cs, measures roughly four metres in length and weighs about five tons, making it significantly more compact than comparable systems.

“The system has demonstrated stable operation over continuous one-minute durations, accumulating approximately 200,000 pulses with consistent performance,” the study, published in the Chinese journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams on January 13, said.

Previously known systems were typically able to operate continuously for only a few seconds and were far bulkier, limiting their integration into smaller weapons platforms.

According to the study, the TPG1000Cs system can generate electrical pulses of up to 20 gigawatts. That figure is well above the roughly 1 gigawatt output that experts say a ground-based microwave weapon would need to potentially disrupt low-Earth-orbit satellite networks such as Starlink.

Researchers say the breakthrough was enabled by the use of a specialised liquid insulating material known as Midel 7131.

“By adopting a high-energy-density liquid dielectric Midel 7131 and a dual-width pulse-forming line, the study achieved miniaturisation of an integrated Tesla transformer and pulse-forming system,” scientists wrote.

The United States, Russia and China have all been exploring whether high-power microwave technology could be developed into weapons capable of disrupting satellites, as highlighted by Euronews.

Using conventional weapons to destroy satellites can create large clouds of orbital debris that may endanger other spacecraft, including those belonging to the attacking country. By contrast, microwave-based systems could theoretically disable electronics without generating significant debris, potentially offering strategic advantages as well as a degree of plausible deniability.

Such systems work by storing electrical energy and releasing it in a sudden, powerful burst, producing intense microwave radiation that can interfere with electronic components.

Starlink satellite communications have been widely used in conflict zones, including Ukraine, in part because of their resilience against conventional jamming efforts.

In recent years, Chinese researchers have published multiple studies discussing the need to develop capabilities to disrupt large satellite constellations, including Elon Musk’s Starlink network.

By Nazrin Sadigova