China Is Trying to Quickly Launch 13,000 Satellites to Defeat Starlink

Summary

This article by Jackie Appel, writing for Popular Mechanics, makes the following points:

• The project would dwarf Starlink’s current count of around 3,500 satellites.
• SpaceX plans to have 12,000 satellites in orbit by 2027, with an eventual count of 40,000.
• The Chinese satellites will be able to track those in the Starlink mega-constellation.
• China aims to monitor the Starlink satellites and disable them if need be.

References

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References from the Web:

• FEB 2023 Chinese defence boffins ponder microwaving Starlink satellites to stop surveillance—The Register
• MAR 2023 China Has Plans To Sabotage Starlink—Medium

Source Information:

• Article Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/
• Media Check: Popular Mechanics - Media Bias Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
• RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC.