Russians trying, and failing, to jam Starlink terminals in Ukraine, says U.S. Space Force chief

Russian invading forces are trying to jam signals in Ukraine from the Starlink satellite constellation launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the commander of the U.S. Space Force, Gen. Chance Saltzman said in an interview with the Washington Post on Aug. 22.

However, he said the Russians so far failed to disrupt the satellite-based Internet provision system, which is vital for Ukraine’s military communications.

Read also: Musk again complains about costs to SpaceX of providing Starlink services in Ukraine

Saltzman said the United States might also be vulnerable to Russian jamming efforts.

“The United States is vulnerable now because too much of its intelligence and communications capabilities are carried on a few satellites, inevitably described as ‘exquisite’ platforms, but also sitting ducks,” he said.

However, that vulnerability is beginning to change, through a new program called the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, Saltzman said.

A new constellation of low Earth orbit satellites will create a mesh network in space for communications and other uses, the commander said.

Read also: SpaceX further limits Starlink service in Ukraine

The first 10 satellites were launched in April, and 18 more are scheduled by year’s end, with an additional 160 next year. The network could grow to as many as 1,000 satellites.

The proliferated array “is a much tougher targeting problem,” Saltzman said.

“We’re actually seeing the effects of that in Ukraine with the Starlink constellation,” he said.

“The Russians are trying to jam that, without success.”

There are currently 42,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals in operation across Ukraine, Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation revealed on April 29.

The state has not spent a single penny on them, as international partners have provided and paid for the equipment’s operation on preferential terms, according to the head of the Ministry, Mykhailo Fedorov.

In February, SpaceX announced that it had limited the use of Starlink internet by Ukrainian military for drone control. When asked about the news, Fedorov replied that “there are no problems with Starlink’s performance today.”

Read also: SpaceX to appeal losing Starlink trademark in Ukraine

The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a contract with SpaceX to purchase Starlink terminals for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Bloomberg reported on June 1.

On July 30, the Pentagon signed an agreement with SpaceX to purchase Starlink terminals and services for Ukraine. Thus, the company’s owner, Elon Musk, will not be able to limit the use of Starlink internet in the war zone.

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine