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What’s new: Report on a tactic to jam Starlink over broad areas.
Why it’s important:
- Starlink was used to overcome Russian jamming in the early phases of the war in Ukraine and can be used for PNT when GNSS is not available.
- Low Earth Orbit satellites provide a wide variety of services.
- Any invasion of Taiwan will include lots of signal interference and other electronic and cyber warfare
What else to know:
- The article says 935 synchronized jamming drones would be required. While that seems like a large number, many drone shows use more than 1,000. A recent show used nearly 16,000.
- Other forms of electronic warfare could undoubtedly be used also. High power EW systems on ships or low profile maritime autonomous vessels, for example. It could also be done from space.
- Since Starlink is a commercial service, China may also feel justified in attacking satellites directly.
- Any radio frequency signal can be jammed if you try hard enough. The secret is to have a diversity of signal sources, frequencies, and power levels.
Study shows how China could jam Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites if it invades Taiwan
At least 935 synchronised jamming drones would be needed, scientists say
Vishwam Sankaran
Monday 24 November 2025 05:16 GMT
Chinese scientists appear to have found a way to jam Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation spread over an area the size of Taiwan, a new study shows.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 showed that satellite networks play a crucial role in helping invaded territories maintain their communication lines.
Just days after the war began, Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals reestablished command and control across Ukraine despite Moscow’s efforts to cut Kyiv’s communication lines.