Chinese researchers have reportedly developed a significantly miniaturized high-power microwave weapon, a device that could one day pose a threat to satellite networks like Starlink. This new system, known as TPG1000Cs, represents a leap in HPM technology, particularly in its operational endurance and compact design. For years, the United States, Russia, and China have all been exploring the potential of microwave weapons, seeking alternatives to kinetic anti-satellite measures that invariably produce vast clouds of hazardous orbital debris. The TPG1000Cs appears to move China closer to a viable non-kinetic option for disrupting space-based infrastructure.
Developed by researchers at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology (NINT), a facility with direct ties to the Chinese military, the TPG1000Cs measures approximately four meters in length and weighs about five tons. These dimensions make it considerably smaller than any comparable HPM systems known to exist previously. The study, published in the Chinese journal *High Power Laser and Particle Beams* on January 13, details how the system can generate electrical pulses reaching 20 gigawatts. This output far surpasses the estimated 1 gigawatt experts believe would be necessary for a ground-based microwave weapon to effectively disrupt low-Earth-orbit satellite networks such as Elon Musk’s Starlink.
One of the most notable advancements cited by the NINT researchers is the system’s sustained operational capability. According to the study, the TPG1000Cs has demonstrated stable operation for continuous one-minute durations, accumulating roughly 200,000 pulses while maintaining consistent performance. This is a critical distinction from prior HPM systems, which typically could only sustain continuous operation for mere seconds before requiring a cool-down period. This extended operational window, combined with its reduced size, makes the TPG1000Cs potentially suitable for integration into smaller, more versatile weapons platforms.
The breakthrough, as described by the researchers, hinges on the use of a specialized liquid insulating material called Midel 7131. This material, coupled with a dual-width pulse-forming line, allowed for the miniaturization of an integrated Tesla transformer and pulse-forming system. The focus on developing such capabilities is not new for China; numerous studies published in recent years by Chinese institutions have emphasized the strategic imperative of finding ways to disrupt large satellite constellations, specifically citing Starlink as a network of concern.
The implications for satellite constellations like Starlink are significant. Starlink’s robust communication services have, for instance, proven crucial for Ukraine’s infrastructure resilience amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, demonstrating a notable resistance to jamming attempts. A high-power microwave weapon, theoretically, could disable the sensitive electronics aboard satellites without physically destroying them. This approach offers a strategic advantage by avoiding the creation of orbital debris, which could threaten other spacecraft, including those belonging to the attacking nation. Such a “clean” disablement method could also provide a degree of plausible deniability, complicating attribution in a potential conflict scenario. The development of TPG1000Cs signals a continued push by major global powers to establish dominance in space, not just through deployment but also through the capacity for disruption.
