For that, Starlink would have to use the frequency band that the phone (and, therefore, the relevant operator) is using. Such frequencies are assigned by states to operators, and using them from space would be extremely easy to detect. That is why Starlink either has to make a deal with in operators, or acquire a licence to use a frequency band in every country it wants to operate.

I assume that if Starlink was trying to do this without agreement, in violation of the interational treaty on radio regulations, the USA would have to prevent them from doing so. If the USA did not, I don't see what would prevent China from shooting down Starlink's constellation.

As a side note on the technology, since Starlink satellites orbit 340km from earth, I wonder if they emit a directed signal. If they don't, I don't see how they intend to respect borders when sending messages down.

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spacebanana7 7 months ago | parent | next [-]

> If the USA did not, I don't see what would prevent China from shooting down Starlink's constellation.

Except China, does any other country have the ability to do this?

With US government permission, Starlink could ignore the radio licensing rules of Iran, South Africa or even the EU.

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lmm 7 months ago | parent | next [-]

> Except China, does any other country have the ability to do this?

Any country capable of launching satellites or even sounding rockets could almost certainly do enough damage to majorly disrupt operations. Certainly the EU or Iran, possibly South Africa with the recent resumption of rocket launches at OTB.

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csomar 7 months ago | parent | prev [-]

It then turn down to "soft" warfare. Iran will give some guy a missile to shoot your cargo ship. I'd like them to do that for countries that can't do anything though (ie: some countries in Africa). Good for the citizenry and no side-effects.

	▲	pyrale 7 months ago \| parent [-]
		> It then turn down to "soft" warfare. Violating RR is already "soft" warfare.

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shepherdjerred 7 months ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Does the US/China have the capability to shoot down satellites? I mean, Starlink has a lot of satellites; could they really all be destroyed?

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nradov 7 months ago | parent [-]

China has demonstrated ASAT weapons. They don't have enough in stock to take out the entire Starlink constellation but just the threat would be enough.

	▲	philipwhiuk 7 months ago \| parent [-]
		If you take out a few, the debris will take a bunch more.

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perihelions 7 months ago | parent | prev | next [-]

- "I don't see what would prevent China from shooting down Starlink's constellation."

They absolutely do not have tens of thousands of anti-satellite missiles, or any other credible (non-nuclear) way to dismantle a constellation of that size. If you look at their own news media[0], they (Chinese defense) consider it a major weakness, and priority.

[0] https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3178939/chin... ("China military must be able to destroy Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites if they threaten national security: scientists")

- "Researchers call for development of anti-satellite capabilities including ability to track, monitor and disable each craft The Starlink platform with its thousands of satellites is believed to be indestructible"

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pyrale 7 months ago | parent | next [-]

There aren't tens of thousands of Starlink satellites over China, and I suspect the issue would be solved or escalated way before the whole constellation gets down.

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perihelions 7 months ago | parent [-]

- "There aren't tens of thousands of Starlink satellites over China"

Sure there are; that's how orbits work. These aren't geostationary satellites.

	▲	pyrale 7 months ago \| parent [-]
		I understand how orbits work, but the current count for the whole constellation isn't at tens of thousands to begin with.

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philipwhiuk 7 months ago | parent | prev [-]

Honestly you probably only need a shoot a few before the debris is a huge challenge for the rest of the constellation.

They're not as impregnable as the military's new LEO obsession makes out.

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wmf 7 months ago | parent | prev [-]

Yes, the beams are highly directional.