In August 2024, China launched the first 18 satellites of its Qianfan broadband constellation, which is expected to grow to over 14,000 satellites. Astronomers have expressed concern over the brightness of these satellites, which range from magnitude 8 when low in the sky to magnitude 4 when overhead, making them visible to the naked eye. The brightness exceeds the recommended magnitude 7 limit that mitigates interference with astronomical observations. The design of these satellites, featuring a large flat-panel antenna, is suspected to be the cause, and astronomers are urging changes similar to those made by SpaceX for its Starlink satellites to reduce their impact on ground-based astronomy.

The increasing number of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), like Qianfan and Starlink, highlights a growing cybersecurity challenge in space systems. As satellite constellations expand, they create more complex and interconnected networks, which are potentially vulnerable to cyber threats. With China’s Qianfan satellites now joining the race for global broadband, the risks of signal interference, hacking, or unauthorized access to sensitive satellite data become pressing concerns. Protecting these satellite networks from cyberattacks is crucial not only to maintain secure communications but also to ensure the safety of vital infrastructure on Earth that depends on space systems.

Foust, Jeff. “Brightness of First Chinese Broadband Constellation Satellites Alarms Astronomers.” SpaceNews, 5 Oct. 2024, https://spacenews.com/brightness-of-first-chinese-broadband-constellation-satellites-alarms-astronomers/.