Iran Is Hunting Down Starlink Users to Stop Protest Videos from Going Global(www.wsj.com)
38 pointsby Agreed37506 hours ago4 comments
  • gnabgib6 hours ago
    Related:

    Iran shuts down Starlink internet for first time (191 points, 2 days ago) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46575224

    Iran is likely jamming Starlink (135 points, yesterday, 273 comments) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46573384

    • Agreed37506 hours ago
      Thanks for including these! I feel like by the end of the month these related comments will span 10 different posts
      • burnt-resistor3 hours ago
        Seems like it. And it's (only) been 5 days now, but jamming SL seems like desperation from the government side while there appears to be support from traditionalist faction(s) per counter-protests.

        The perpetual struggles everywhere: rich vs. poor, and open vs. traditional.

  • sysguest4 hours ago
    hmm maybe this can be easily solved?

    1. make a starlink+wireless mesh-network (eg. using BLE) that can handle multiple connects/disconnects seamlessly

    2. mount those starlinks on cars/trucks/motorcycles/etc. hide those on ditches, buildings, etc.

    Elon should work on that "starlink <-> wireless mesh-network" part (eg. app or device)

    • bigfatkitten3 hours ago
      Terminals are easy to find.

      Every single commercial mobile satellite system, other than VSAT needs to tell the network where it is in order to function. None of them are designed for low probability of interception/detection.

      • 2 hours ago
        undefined
      • sysguest2 hours ago
        well that's why you need to move around
    • dzhiurgis7 minutes ago
      Or Starlink enables direct to cell 5G in Iran.
    • lm284692 hours ago
      > Elon should work

      Elon? You mean the team behind starlink? The cult of personality around this nerd is amazing

      • johnisgood3 minutes ago
        Umm, executive prioritization genuinely determines what gets built. "Design for LPI/LPD" is exactly the kind of strategic call that comes from leadership, not something engineers spontaneously add to the roadmap.

        That said, the technical problem is hard regardless. Direction-finding equipment can locate them. Moving helps but you are broadcasting position whenever active. Military SATCOM (MUOS, AEHF) uses frequency hopping, directional antennas, burst transmissions, techniques Starlink was not architected for.

        The mesh idea has a bandwidth mismatch problem too. BLE tops out around 1 Mbps; Starlink pushes 100+. You would want 802.11s or a MANET protocol, but then you just have a cluster of RF emitters pointing back at the terminal anyway.

      • sysguest2 hours ago
        hmm so who should I refer to?

        should I call out bill gates? zuckerberg?

  • tuktoyaktuk20 minutes ago
    [dead]