The full Starlink system is an incredible capability. High quality engineering was applied to reimagine the every component of the architecture, including ground stations to control the architecture, satellites which communicate with each other and the ground, and new terminals with advanced antennas that can track satellites without need for a gimbal. The ground element also includes an easy to use WiFi component and an ability to directly plug in other Internet capabilities. It really is an engineering marvel. More satellites are required before the system reaches full operational capability, but it is already making a difference around the world.

But this system was not designed for combat and has limitations when being used in this role. Many mitigation measures are in place that can make it harder on adversaries to exploit these limitations. This post reviews provides insights onto these mitigation measures.

Background:

Almost as soon as the public was made aware of a Ukrainian request for Starlink support from SpaceX, concerns were raised about security issues. There are many issues that the OODA team has already seen first-hand, including some so sensitive we are only providing insight into them to SpaceX and the Government of Ukraine. But there are also many other issues that are very apparent to any who have studied the system, many of which have mitigation measures that can be put in place.

Concerns:

One concern many amateurs and professionals alike noted regarding use of Starlink in a combat area is that it uses RF, and everyone knows that militaries have capabilities to intercept RF. So many people starting hypothesizing about the risk of the Starlink signal being intercepted, triangulated and targeted.  A researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab was cited in a CNN report saying that Starlink terminals can turn into the equivalent of painting a giant target on one’s back.

Another concern is that the most powerful Russian space authority, a man named Dmitry Rogozin, made it clear that he has made note of SpaceX and Starlink aiding the war effort:

Ukraine civilian Internet was experiencing strange outages – bad weather perhaps? – so SpaceX is helping fix it

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022

Mitigation Measures:

So, The Russians indicate the terminals can be targets, and the pundits say Starlink comms can intercepted and triangulated.

Even Elon Musk suggests exercising caution:

Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022

So we better think of some mitigation measures.

It is combat so lets assume the Russians will seek to target all communications, which include Starlink.  What can we do?

First it would be good to understand how this communication system is different from others including other satellite communications terminals.

This system uses frequencies that are higher than most. And the higher the frequency, the more narrow a beam the radiation makes. This narrow beam is pointed at satellites to establish the communications circuit. The antenna does not have to move to do this, it uses changes in energy levels on a flat antenna to steer the beam (phased array technology). To intercept this beam you need to get in its path. This can certainly be done, but doing that will require lots of planning and probably a very high altitude surveillance aircraft or a satellite designed for this purpose (when you hear a pundit or journalist talking about triangulation here it is obvious they do not know the technology of this architecture, triangulation is great for frequencies lower than this that will scatter in all directions, it is no good for a pencil beam).

There is a very remote possibility that a ground vehicle could pick up signals if they are close to the device or if the beam is reflecting off something else for a bit. And a remote possibility of some minor signals that can be detected from the side of the beam. And there is the fact that the terminal may be feeding wifi or other gear that is detected. If need be, some shielding can be put up around the side of the antenna. But this may be overkill.

Jamming is a threat, and jamming is a key part of Russian doctrine. Jamming these antennas is certainly possible. But they come with high gain features and error correcting codes, and as previously mentioned have a pretty narrow beam, so jamming will have to be close and preferably in line.

So based on the technology here, the mitigation measures to make it harder on the adversary may be simple. It is already hard to intercept the beam. The gain can be turned down, to reduce probably of detection even more. And the terminal can be turned off and then turned back on and used only when it is absolutely necessary then turned off again. Odds of being detected, which are already low, drop even more.

Additionally, devices can be frequently moved. They can be put on vehicles and moved every hour if desired. This will also make it harder to find.

To further reduce the threat to people, the terminal can be far away from users and other equipment. Standard CAT5 cable can be run 100M or so away and daisy chained for even greater distance if desired.

If there is concern about the antenna being spotted it can be camouflaged. Elon Musk himself offered thoughts on this:

Place light camouflage over antenna to avoid visual detection

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 3, 2022

This makes total sense and sounds prudent. But the best thing is to kill any Russians that come close.

As mentioned, there are other potential threats and vulnerabilities, but by providing those privately to the Government of Ukraine and SpaceX we can work to mitigate those behind the scenes.

Do you have views on the threat to Starlink? Let us know your thoughts at the OODA Forum

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