It is estimated that there are over 15,000 satellites orbiting the Earth, the majority of which are located in low Earth orbit (LEO). The Starlink satellite is one of those located in LEO and although launched for civilian use, it has also proven to be an important asset in the battlefields of Ukraine and when the internet is turned off as happened in Iran recently.
Anti-satellite missiles (ASAT) that offer communication services have been developed by the United States, Russia, China and India. But with thousands of LEO satellites in space, it is almost impossible to produce thousands of ASAT missiles. Therefore, researchers from the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology (NINT), China have developed a system that can destroy satellites using high-power microwaves according to a report by SCMP.
This high-power microwave propellant (HPM). called TPG1000Cs with a power of 20 gigawatts and continuous firing for 60 seconds. The satellite used by SpaceX for example can be destroyed using just 1GW of microwaves. The advantage of this system is that it can destroy satellites without them exploding and creating space debris. Both satellites can be destroyed without the enemy noticing because no rockets are needed and microwaves cannot be seen.,
TPG1000Cs is unique because it is much smaller than previous microwave drives. It can be placed on the back of a truck to be carried to a location or sent into space to become a space weapon.
Microwave weapons have already proven effective in repelling drone attacks such as the Epirus Leonidas system. Drone electronic circuits are burned by microwaves. Countries with microwave weapons can disable enemy communication systems and shut down internet networks on the battlefield.
The research paper was published in the journal High Power Laser and Particle Beams.
