SpaceX ‘Starshield’ Spy Satellites Under Development for US Defense—Report

Isaiah Richard, Tech Times 17 March 2024, 09:03 pm

SpaceX is now developing the 'Starshield,' the renowned spy satellite that is meant for the US Department of Defense (DoD) under a contract with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), according to reports.

In this new venture, SpaceX is creating hundreds of new spy satellites for the government to soon launch into the low-Earth orbit, centering on tracking targets on the Earth's surface.

These new orbiting satellites would operate as a swarm, best known for seeing a similar pattern to Starlink's operations, and provide internet connections via its so-called constellation.

SpaceX Starshield: New Spy Satellites for US Defense

Reuters reported that SpaceX was given a new contract by the Pentagon's NRO to build a new network of hundreds of spy satellites to deploy in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) for future surveillance needs. Five sources were revealed to have spoken to Reuters about this new SpaceX and Department of Defense deal, following up on a previous report about a $1.8 billion contract for the spy satellite in 2021.

The NRO and SpaceX did not confirm this said contract, but the Defense subsidiary claimed that they are working on creating "the most capable, diverse, and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen."

Additionally, SpaceX had a $70 million contract with the Space Force for Starshield, which provided satellite communications under the program.

Swarm of Starshield Spy Satellites for Tracking

While Starlink is for civilians, Starshield was dedicated to the use of the government and the national security needs of those dealing with SpaceX.

In this latest development, the NRO means to use the Starshield for satellite imagery and tracking the Earth's surface, using a combination of large imaging satellites for data collection and relay satellites to share information.

SpaceX and its Satellite Ventures

SpaceX's most popular satellite venture and development center on its Starlink, the company's renowned internet satellite service that delivers fast connections from space straight to ground receivers. Continuous Starlink deployments still bring new satellites to space, helping expand SpaceX's constellation system to deliver the famed internet connection to available global locations.

However, SpaceX has a lesser-known satellite development known as Starshield. The company debuted it in 2022 and specifically caters to military needs.

SpaceX is popular for its commercial services, which also cater to the US government. It offers significant help in launching payloads to the orbit alongside crewed missions for NASA's Commercial Crew program.

More recently, SpaceX and Elon Musk faced controversy over Starshield's activation, one which the Pentagon looks to use to aid Taiwan amid the escalating situations in the country.

Despite this ongoing issue, SpaceX is yet again tapped by the US Department of Defense for Starshield, centering on creating a new swarm of US spy satellites for ground tracking, following up on the 2021 contract for the defense satellite.