Elon Musk’s Starlink program, which has launched more than 8,000 satellites into space to power its satellite internet network, has stirred considerable controversy. We’ve seen numerous reports over the years, from claims that Starlink satellites could damage the ozone layer to warnings that solar storms could kill satellites like those used by Starlink. However, the latest news about the internet company and its satellite constellation may be more disturbing.
Russia may be developing a new anti-satellite system that would target satellites used in Musk’s Starlink constellation, the Associated Press reported. Russia may be targeting Starlink specifically because the internet company’s satellites power satellite internet in Ukraine.
Information revealed in the report suggests that the main conversation centered around a strategy of releasing thousands of pellets into the same orbits used by Starlink satellites. It’s a play on a classic dilemma that has vexed some scientists who have long discussed the dangers of too much trash in Earth’s orbit.
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Starlink satellites aren’t the only ones affected
Concept image of a satellite burning up as it falls from orbit to Earth – Paulfleet/Getty Images
Implementing such a plan will not only affect Starlink. In fact, reports indicate that if Russia adopted this method of interfering with Starlink satellites, it would add additional risks to its own space operations. This is because uncontrollable space debris can become a weapon against anything encountered in space.
Whether it is a Starlink satellite or a Russian satellite, Russia has no control over which satellites and operations are affected. Future space operations are likely to be affected by the deployment of such weapons. This doesn’t even take into account that non-functioning satellites are already dangerous in their own right, and that many satellites enter the deorbiting phase, where they fall back to Earth.
In addition to the threat of sending more debris into orbit, other countries such as Lebanon rely on Starlink for internet services, not just Ukraine. Russia will also effectively restrict internet access in these countries, which could lead to more tensions. Whether Russia actually goes ahead with the plan remains to be seen. But knowing it could lead to catastrophic levels of debris in Earth’s orbit would surely make scientists more worried, because Earth’s satellite problem is already serious enough without the need for more junk to be added to the mix.
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