Russia is suspected of developing a new anti-satellite weapon that could potentially disrupt or disable SpaceX’s Starlink network, a critical system for Ukraine’s war effort and Western communications infrastructure.
According to reports from intelligence agencies in NATO countries, Russia is working on a “zone-effect” anti-satellite weapon that could release clouds of high-density pellets into low Earth orbit. The goal of this weapon would be to damage or disable multiple Starlink satellites at once, rather than targeting them individually with missiles or lasers. With over 9,000 active satellites currently in orbit and the constellation expected to reach 10,000 soon, such an attack could have devastating consequences.
The release of “hundreds of thousands of high-density pellets” into Starlink’s orbital plane could pose a serious threat to satellites traveling at high speeds. The potential damage from such an attack would not only impact Starlink but also endanger other satellites operating in similar orbits. While some experts are skeptical of Russia’s intentions, military officials are not dismissing the possibility outright.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Horner, commander of the Canadian military’s Space Division, expressed concerns about the potential deployment of such a weapon, warning of the risks of uncontrollable debris in orbit. Russia has long viewed Starlink as a strategic threat, especially after the satellite internet service played a crucial role in Ukraine’s battlefield communications and civilian connectivity following Russian attacks on traditional infrastructure.
The difficulty of tracking the pellets could complicate efforts to attribute the attack to Russia. Past tests of destructive anti-satellite weapons by Russia, including a 2021 missile test that generated thousands of debris fragments, raise concerns about the escalation of space warfare. Despite Kremlin officials denying plans to deploy weapons in space, the development of such systems poses a significant risk.
Using an indiscriminate orbital weapon would be counterproductive for Russia, as it could jeopardize their own access to space. As tensions escalate in the realm of space warfare, the international community must remain vigilant and work towards preventing the militarization of space.