- The conflict highlights the growing militarization of space and the importance of commercial satellite networks in supporting military operations.
- Satellite imagery that was provided to Ukraine gave them insights into Russian troop movements, equipment deployment, and logistical supply lines.
- The deployment of Starlink by SpaceX proved vital in maintaining secure and stable internet communications for Ukrainian forces after Russian cyberattacks targeted traditional networks.
- The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites are increasingly vital in modern conflict.
In military strategy, the army that occupies the high ground will fight to advantage and this has sound observation has stood the test of time for centuries and more so today. That is why one must now have to really study the Russia Ukraine war which seems to be winding down as new conflicts emerge. However, the most fascinating aspect of this war is that is showcased the critical role of space and satellite technologies in modern warfare.
As the battle raged, what a lot of people did not see was how both sides had increasingly leveraged satellite systems for intelligence gathering, communication, and targeting, to gain strategic advantage. The conflict highlights the growing militarization of space and the importance of commercial satellite networks in supporting military operations. In other words, space is no longer the bastion of nations as private enterprises will play an important and decisive role.
Though no one can question the achievement of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), it is clear that Elon Musk and his SpaceX have captured the imagination of the world with ingenuity, innovation, and efficiency. The way Musk and SpaceX have gone about developing space technology, NASA and most certainly ISRO is not even in its periphery.
It is now clear that any military that has an upper hand on situational awareness on the battlefield, encompassing Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, will win. And to win they need to have cutting-edge space and satellite technologies. Satellite imagery that was provided to Ukraine gave them insights into Russian troop movements, equipment deployment, and logistical supply lines.
Western commercial satellite firms like Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs, and Black Sky have played a crucial role in supplying high-resolution imagery, which enhanced Ukraine’s battlefield awareness. Satellite data has been instrumental in identifying Russian military build-ups near borders and mapping fortifications. Last but not least, it was Starlink satellites, designed to operate in a circular orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometres [1], that gave a great advantage to the Ukranian military planning.
Technology that Drives Starlink Satellites
In astronomy and mathematics, an “ellipse space” refers to the oval-shaped paths, or orbits, that celestial bodies, like planets and moons, follow around a star or planet, with the star or planet at one of the two focal points of the ellipse. Starlink places its satellite in a low Earth orbit, which is an orbit around Earth with a period of 128 minutes or less, thus making it nearly impossible to jam its signals.
The deployment of Starlink by SpaceX proved vital in maintaining secure and stable internet communications for Ukrainian forces after Russian cyberattacks targeted traditional networks. Starlink terminals enabled the Ukrainian forces to have effective communication between Ukrainian military units on the ground, especially in remote and war-torn areas. Russia’s attempts to jam Starlink signals have only met with rapid software updates by SpaceX, ensuring minimal disruption.
Therefore Ukraine was successfully able to use its GPS-guided artillery systems, like HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), which rely heavily on satellite positioning for precision strikes. Before Starlink, Russia was able to jam the signal, rendering the weapon system useless. On the other hand, Starlink satellite navigation allowed Ukrainian forces to accurately target Russian supply depots, command centres, and troop movements.
As per information, SpaceX eventually hopes to have as many as 42,000 satellites in this so-called mega constellation. According to an article published in Spaceflight Now[2], “the current V2 Starlink satellite version weighs approximately 1,760 lbs (800 kilograms) at launch, almost three times heavier than the older generation satellites (weighing in at 573 lbs or 260 kg).” According to Astronomer Jonathan McDowell who tracks the constellation on his website, there are 7,086 Starlink satellites in orbit, of which 7,052 are working[3].
These are staggering numbers and China is on track to match it. The question is, where is India as mentioned by retired Indian Army Lt Gen Raj Shukla in his Chanakya Dialog podcast?
This war has demonstrated how Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are increasingly vital in modern conflict. Russia’s failure to destroy or disable Starlink underscores the difficulty of countering decentralized satellite networks. This conflict has also exposed the vulnerability of space-based assets, emphasizing the need for space resilience and anti-satellite defence measures.
Five Dimensions of Warfare
As human civilizations emerged, the inherent desire for territorial expansion often led to war, driving the gradual development of weapon systems. These evolved from chariots and catapults to artillery and tanks, and from sailboats to modern naval destroyers. These examples serve as a bridge from the past to the present. Later, submarines revolutionized underwater warfare, introducing a third dimension, while aeroplanes added the fourth dimension with air combat. But when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the fifth dimension of warfare emerged, and it is now more important than ever
The conflict in Ukraine has now cemented in the military doctrines of major powers that space will dictate the course of future wars. Additionally, Starlink has enhanced satellite-based early warning systems, aiding in the detection of missile launches and the prediction of strike trajectories. The integration of satellite data with air defence systems is now a reality, and for India, with China and Pakistan as its neighbours, it is more necessary than ever. Warfare on land, sea, air, and underwater will be dictated by space, the fifth dimension in warfare.
Where is India
India has made significant strides in space technology but is still far from matching SpaceX. Currently, India possesses advanced satellite imaging capabilities through ISRO and private companies like Pixxel and GalaxEye. It also operates remote sensing satellites such as RISAT and Cartosat, which, in theory, could provide intelligence similar to that of Western firms like Maxar, though this remains a conjecture. Additionally, India runs its own regional NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system, serving as an alternative to GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), and BeiDou (China).
But it is abundantly clear that India does not yet possess a Starlink equivalent for battlefield internet connectivity. However, private firms such as Pixxel, Skyroot, and Agnikul are entering the LEO satellite market, which could be a game-changer for India in the future. The news of Starlink entering the Indian market is promising, but it also highlights our vulnerability—akin to the Achilles’ heel India faced during the Kargil War in 1999 when the U.S. denied access to GPS navigation.
The Ukraine-Russia war has set a precedent for future conflicts, where commercial satellites, real-time data sharing, and space-based communication systems will play a decisive role. The rapid deployment of technologies like Starlink and the integration of satellite data into battlefield tactics have reshaped modern warfare, reinforcing space as the next strategic frontier in global security.
For India, it must be a case of finding a cure before the disease; we cannot afford to be in a position where reliance on a foreign entity compromises national security. The time has come for the Indian government to allow private enterprises to enter the commercial space sector, much like SpaceX and Maxar. These companies must receive greater funding for research and development, with failure seen as a step closer to success rather than a deterrent. The same applies to other defence systems, as the private sector offers efficiency, and India’s long-standing monopsony in defence procurement has hindered progress and innovation.
Conclusion
India must recognize this paradigm shift and enable private players to take the lead in satellite innovation, deployment, and defence applications, as they are all interconnected. We are now in an era of rapid innovation and deployment, much like the evolution of the cell phone market. The government must remove bureaucratic hurdles and empower private enterprises to accelerate progress.
Companies like Pixxel, Skyroot, and Agnikul must be tasked to develop satellite technologies and focus on commercial satellite launches, allowing ISRO to focus on deep space missions. ISRO should consider technology transfer to these companies, which would help bridge the capability gap soon. A public-private collaboration is the only way forward to make India’s military space capabilities more agile and self-reliant.
The global satellite market is shifting towards LEO-based small satellites, and Indian startups need all the support necessary to compete with SpaceX, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. India must act now or suffer the consequences. As General Raj Shukla aptly put it, “The new high ground in intelligence, deterrence, and warfighting is space.”
References:
- [1] https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-satellites.html
- [2] https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/02/26/spacex-unveils-first-batch-of-larger-upgraded-starlink-satellites/
- [3] https://planet4589.org/space/con/star/stats.html
- [4] https://thedialectics.org/the-privatization-of-warfare-role-of-starlink-in-the-russia-ukraine-war/
Balaji is a freelance writer with an MA in History and Political science and has published articles on defence and strategic affairs and book reviews. He tweets @LaxmanShriram78. Views expressed are the author’s own.
Shashank Pandey 
Sakshi Yadav 
Pranav S