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Ukraine Develops Grim LTE Modem to Help Control Drones Without Starlinks (militarnyi.com)
submitted 6 days ago by to c/ukraine@lemmy.world
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[–] 14 points 6 days ago (3 children)

This whole ordeal has proven that no one should ever use Starlink or Starshield for anything, especially war.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 days ago (1 child)

    Well. Using equipment would be one thing, but relying on civilian or foreign services for your military is not optimal. Do what you are able and use what you can, but case in point - services may choose to stop and be out of your control.

    I'm really really glad they developed this. I hope they can figure out longer range solutions, too.

    And use Starlink and such as they're able as well.

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  • [–] 2 points 6 days ago

    Thanks for sharing. I was once a fan of this technology as well. A couple of things I learned changed my perception though.

    The first is the reality that these satellites have an operational span of about five years. Due to the amount of satellites it takes to form the network this means once fully established there will have to be constant launches to maintain it forever. This is so unbelievably resource intensive compared to laying fiber mixed with 6g towers and microwave relays it isn't funny.

    The second is control. Unless these systems are universalized for all nations to fairly use there will need to be several networks to compete with each other because of political and commercial needs. This has been demonstrated by Musk and the US government deciding on the fly when cut communications during war time.

    So you take an already ridiculous expensive solution and times it by every large nation and corporation that can afford it. With a projection of 40k Starlink Satellites alone you could have over a million circling the planet if everyone jumps on board. The night sky would be forever changed and terrestrial astronomy would be nearly impossible.

    On top of these I think this technology is definitely dangerous in the wrong hands.

    And it definitely is already in the wrong hands.

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