According to sources familiar with the matter, Reuters has learned that one of billionaire Elon Musk’s companies is engaged in a new contract aimed at enhancing the U.S. intelligence agency’s ability to identify global threats through a network of satellites.
Under a classified contract with a U.S. intelligence agency, SpaceX, owned by Musk, is reportedly constructing a network of hundreds of spy satellites through its Starshield business unit. The contract, valued at $1.8 billion and signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), involves the development of a powerful spy system with Earth-imaging capabilities.
The program is expected to significantly bolster the U.S. government and military’s capacity to swiftly detect potential threats worldwide. It demonstrates SpaceX’s deepening involvement in U.S. national security projects, showcasing the Pentagon’s increased investment in low-Earth orbit satellite systems to support ground forces.
Despite SpaceX’s silence on the matter, sources indicate that roughly a dozen prototypes for the Starshield network have been launched since 2020 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets. These prototypes, deployed under the radar, are reportedly part of the network’s development.
While SpaceX did not comment on the contract or its role in the program, the NRO acknowledged its mission to develop sophisticated satellite systems and partnerships with various entities. However, the NRO declined to comment specifically on Reuters’ findings regarding SpaceX’s involvement.
The Starshield network, distinct from SpaceX’s commercial broadband constellation Starlink, is anticipated to provide persistent and rapid coverage of Earth’s activities. With Musk’s track record of innovation in space technology, the project represents a significant advancement in the U.S.’s space capabilities, amid growing competition with other nations in the militarization of space.
Despite tensions stemming from Musk’s control over Starlink in conflict zones like Ukraine, the Starshield network remains a crucial component in the race for space dominance. It aims to enhance the U.S. government’s remote-sensing capabilities while ensuring resilience against potential space threats.
