On February 5, 2026, Chinese researchers from the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xi’an announced a major breakthrough in directed-energy warfare: the development of the TPG1000Cs, a high-power microwave (HPM) weapon specifically designed to disable satellite electronics.
This device is being widely characterized as a “Starlink-killer” because it operates on the Ku-band frequency—the same band used by SpaceX’s Starlink terminals and satellites—making it uniquely capable of jamming or frying the circuitry of low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellations.
1. Technical Breakthrough: The “Miniaturized Giant”
The primary innovation of the TPG1000Cs is its combination of extreme power and portability.
- Power Output: The system can generate electrical pulses reaching 20 gigawatts. Experts note that only 1 gigawatt is typically needed to disrupt LEO satellites, meaning this weapon possesses a significant power surplus.
- Duration: Unlike previous HPM systems that could only fire for a few seconds, the TPG1000Cs can operate continuously for 60 seconds, delivering approximately 3,000 pulses per session.
- Size & Weight: It measures roughly 4 meters long and weighs 5 tons. While large for a consumer device, this is exceptionally compact for a weapon of this power class. It can be mounted on standard military trucks, naval vessels, or even specialized satellites.
2. Strategic Impact: The “Debris-Free” Kill
Microwave weapons are considered “New Concept Weapons” because they offer a cleaner alternative to kinetic missiles (ASATs) that physically smash into targets.
- Plausible Deniability: HPM weapons use invisible beams. If a satellite suddenly goes dark, it is difficult for an adversary to prove whether it was a deliberate attack or a natural technical failure.
- No Space Debris: Physical anti-satellite tests (like China’s 2007 test) create thousands of pieces of space junk that threaten all orbiting craft. Microwave weapons disable electronics internally, leaving the satellite structure intact and preventing a “Kessler Syndrome” chain reaction.
- Starlink Vulnerability: The weapon’s ability to “flood” the Ku-band makes it a direct counter to the massive, redundant satellite networks that the U.S. military is increasingly relying on for communication.
3. The “Stirling Engine” Innovation
Earlier reports in 2025 indicated that Chinese scientists were also perfecting a version of this weapon powered by Stirling engines.
- Efficiency: Using four compact, closed-cycle Stirling engines, the system converts thermal energy into mechanical energy to drive a superconducting coil.
- Magnetic Field: It creates a magnetic field of 4 teslas, reducing total energy consumption by 80% compared to existing technologies. This version was tested to run continuously for four hours, hinting at a future of sustained orbital denial.
4. Global Context & Countermeasures
The announcement has accelerated the “Space Arms Race” in early 2026.
- U.S. Response: In testimony given in February 2026, U.S. Space Force Chief Gen. Chance Saltzman stated that China is building a “kill web” and that the U.S. is “critically unfunded” in its efforts to field its own directed-energy countermeasures.
- India’s Move: During the 2026 International Conference on Electronic Warfare in January, India’s DRDO unveiled its own 450 MW HPM prototype, though it is currently limited to a 5 km range against drones.
Conclusion: A Shift to Soft-Kill Dominance
The TPG1000Cs represents a move away from “breaking” satellites toward “silencing” them. By packaging 20 gigawatts of power into a truck-mounted unit, China has effectively turned a laboratory experiment into a mobile, tactical asset that could reshape the security of global satellite infrastructure.
