A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signal

Another day, another important international agreement violated. I appreciate what SpaceX has done for global communications, but do not under any circumstances flagrantly violate ITU guidelines. This undermines critical agreements that allow us to (for instance) use the ISM and amateur bands without pervasive jamming. The ITU is not a political football like the rest of the UN, it’s a highly technical, competent organization that’s well-regarded among spectrum users.

Re: A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signal

#6

Post by krona » Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 1:47 PM UTC

ACCount37 wrote: post #4

This reeks of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), and we know Starshield sats carry custom sensor payloads that normal Starlinks don't have.

> SAR

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic-aperture_radar?

Re: A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signal

#7

Post by ACCount37 » Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 1:49 PM UTC

krona wrote: post #6

ACCount37 wrote: post #4

This reeks of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar), and we know Starshield sats carry custom sensor payloads that normal Starlinks don't have.

> SAR https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic-aperture_radar ?

Yeah, I just updated my own comment too for those not familiar with the term.

Re: A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signal

#8

Post by Weeenion » Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 1:50 PM UTC

iamnothere wrote: post #5

Another day, another important international agreement violated. I appreciate what SpaceX has done for global communications, but do not under any circumstances flagrantly violate ITU guidelines. This undermines critical agreements that allow us to (for instance) use the ISM and amateur bands without pervasive jamming. The ITU is not a political football like the rest of the UN, it’s a highly technical, competent org…

7 Million people benefit from it, 8 Billion people don't.

We should have done that A LOT slower without breaking shit left and right.

Edit: Because of the one downvote: It affects astronomy and a PRIVATE company has impact on a war like in ukraine. And they are violating shit just because its Musk

Re: A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signal

#9

Post by NitpickLawyer » Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 1:51 PM UTC

iamnothere wrote: post #5

Another day, another important international agreement violated. I appreciate what SpaceX has done for global communications, but do not under any circumstances flagrantly violate ITU guidelines. This undermines critical agreements that allow us to (for instance) use the ISM and amateur bands without pervasive jamming. The ITU is not a political football like the rest of the UN, it’s a highly technical, competent org…

> I appreciate what SpaceX has done for global communications, but do not under any circumstances flagrantly violate ITU guidelines.

These are Starshields, not Starlinks. These are not operated by SpaceX. In the same way Boeing isn't spying on comms by building / launching an NRO satellite.

Re: A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signal

#10

Post by Weeenion » Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 1:58 PM UTC

I'm curious if you could destroy a SpaceX Satelite with a basic laser pointers. Easily enough for normal state actors and some university or engineering lab.

You need only to track it and shoot your laser up there (its only 500km) and if it can't dissipate the energy fast enough, it would overheat.