China unveils compact microwave weapon capable of disrupting Starlink

16:40

By: Dakir Madiha

China unveils compact microwave weapon capable of disrupting Starlink

Chinese scientists have developed what they claim is the world's first compact high-power microwave weapon able to emit sustained power strong enough to disrupt low Earth orbit satellites, including SpaceX's Starlink constellation. The device, designated TPG1000Cs and led by Wang Gang at Xi'an's Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, generates 20 gigawatts for up to one minute, according to a peer-reviewed study highlighted by the South China Morning Post.

At four meters long and five tons, the TPG1000Cs offers truck, warship, aircraft, or satellite mounting far smaller than prior prototypes exceeding 10 meters and 10 tons. Miniaturization stems from high-energy-density insulating fluid Midel 7131, boosting energy storage, insulation, and efficiency while cutting losses, per the study in High Power Laser and Particle Beams. Researchers noted "stable operation for continuous one-minute durations, accumulating around 200,000 pulses with consistent performance," delivering up to 3,000 high-energy pulses per session.

Experts assess a ground-based gigawatt-plus microwave weapon could severely disrupt Starlink satellites. The TPG1000Cs far exceeds this threshold. China has issued multiple studies voicing military concerns over Starlink, which proved vital for Ukraine's communications during its Russia conflict. Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics researchers earlier noted "Starlink's potential military application value highlighted in the Russia-Ukraine conflict."

High-power microwave weapons attract military interest for theoretically neutralizing satellites without debris fields from conventional kinetic arms, enabling plausible deniability. This development unfolds amid US-China space rivalry escalation. US Space Force chief Gen. Chance Saltzman testified last year that China poses a "serious threat" to American space assets via growing ground-based lasers and missiles.

The TPG1000Cs advances beyond earlier Chinese systems like Hurricane-3000, designed for short-range antidrone defense at two-to-three kilometers.