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Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

wsj.com

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Re: Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

#11

Post by sysguest »

bigfatkitten wrote: post #7
sysguest wrote: post #5

hmm maybe this can be easily solved? 1. make a starlink+wireless mesh-network (eg. using BLE) that can handle multiple connects/disconnects seamlessly 2. mount those starlinks on cars/trucks/motorcycles/etc. hide those on ditches, buildings, etc. Elon should work on that "starlink wireless mesh-network" part (eg. app or device)

Terminals are easy to find. Every single commercial mobile satellite system, other than VSAT needs to tell the network where it is in order to function. None of them are designed for low probability of interception/detection.

well that's why you need to move around

Re: Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

#13

Post by dzhiurgis »

sysguest wrote: post #5

hmm maybe this can be easily solved? 1. make a starlink+wireless mesh-network (eg. using BLE) that can handle multiple connects/disconnects seamlessly 2. mount those starlinks on cars/trucks/motorcycles/etc. hide those on ditches, buildings, etc. Elon should work on that "starlink wireless mesh-network" part (eg. app or device)

Or Starlink enables direct to cell 5G in Iran.

Re: Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

#14

Post by johnisgood »

lm28469 wrote: post #8
sysguest wrote: post #5

hmm maybe this can be easily solved? 1. make a starlink+wireless mesh-network (eg. using BLE) that can handle multiple connects/disconnects seamlessly 2. mount those starlinks on cars/trucks/motorcycles/etc. hide those on ditches, buildings, etc. Elon should work on that "starlink wireless mesh-network" part (eg. app or device)

> Elon should work Elon? You mean the team behind starlink? The cult of personality around this nerd is amazing

Umm, executive prioritization genuinely determines what gets built. "Design for LPI/LPD" is exactly the kind of strategic call that comes from leadership, not something engineers spontaneously add to the roadmap.

That said, the technical problem is hard regardless. Direction-finding equipment can locate them. Moving helps but you are broadcasting position whenever active. Military SATCOM (MUOS, AEHF) uses frequency hopping, directional antennas, burst transmissions, techniques Starlink was not architected for.

The mesh idea has a bandwidth mismatch problem too. BLE tops out around 1 Mbps; Starlink pushes 100+. You would want 802.11s or a MANET protocol, but then you just have a cluster of RF emitters pointing back at the terminal anyway.

Re: Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

#15

Post by sysguest »

johnisgood wrote: post #14
lm28469 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Elon should work Elon? You mean the team behind starlink? The cult of personality around this nerd is amazing

Umm, executive prioritization genuinely determines what gets built. "Design for LPI/LPD" is exactly the kind of strategic call that comes from leadership, not something engineers spontaneously add to the roadmap. That said, the technical problem is hard regardless. Direction-finding equipment can locate them. Moving helps but you are broadcasting position whenever active. Military SATCOM (MUOS, AEHF) uses frequency h…

agreed

on tech side, I'm not wireless-guy, so I'm giving ble as an example ('something like ble') not as some prescription

btw, maybe elon could add those SATCOM features to starlink? (or is it physically costly -- eg. require changing those satelite hardwares? or would some software update do?)

Re: Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

#16

Post by amenhotep »

sysguest wrote: post #10
lm28469 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Elon should work Elon? You mean the team behind starlink? The cult of personality around this nerd is amazing

hmm so who should I refer to? should I call out bill gates? zuckerberg?

Just say Starlink or SpaceX, obviously. When would you ever say "Bill should work on fixing Outlook" or "Mark should improve the WhatsApp gif picker"??

Re: Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

#18

Post by Rover222 »

lm28469 wrote: post #8
sysguest wrote: post #5

hmm maybe this can be easily solved? 1. make a starlink+wireless mesh-network (eg. using BLE) that can handle multiple connects/disconnects seamlessly 2. mount those starlinks on cars/trucks/motorcycles/etc. hide those on ditches, buildings, etc. Elon should work on that "starlink wireless mesh-network" part (eg. app or device)

> Elon should work Elon? You mean the team behind starlink? The cult of personality around this nerd is amazing

[flagged]

Re: Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global

#19

Post by anothereng »

amenhotep wrote: post #16
sysguest wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

hmm so who should I refer to? should I call out bill gates? zuckerberg?

Just say Starlink or SpaceX, obviously. When would you ever say "Bill should work on fixing Outlook" or "Mark should improve the WhatsApp gif picker"??

gif picker lol
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