Chinese physicists simulate nuclear blast against satellites

At the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, a research institute run by the People’s Liberation Army in Xian, researchers developed a model that can evaluate the performance of nuclear anti-satellite weapons at different altitudes and yields with unprecedented detail and accuracy. A computer experiment suggests that an exploded warhead in near space could disable threats such as Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites. According to the aforesaid model, the explosion could produce a cloud that sets a trap for enemies, while reducing the risk to ‘friendly’ spacecraft.