Starshield is a SpaceX program consisting of purpose-built low-Earth orbit satellites designed to provide new "disruptive" military space capabilities to U.S. and allied governments.[1][2][3][4] Starshield was adapted from the global communications network Starlink but brings additional capabilities such as target tracking, optical and radio reconnaissance, and early missile warning.[5][6][7][8] Primary customers include the Space Development Agency, National Reconnaissance Office and the United States Space Force.[5][9][10]As of 2024, at least 16 Starshield satellites have been launched, with an unknown number of additional satellites being launched in May as part of NROL-146.[11]
While SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell has indicated there is little information she is allowed to disclose about Starshield, she has noted "very good collaboration" between the intelligence community and SpaceX on the program.[1] The Starshield website says it has a focus on three areas; Earth observation, communications and hosted payloads.[12] The Wall Street Journal reported that Starshield's online job postings required people with top-secret clearances, as well as experience working with the Defense Department and intelligence community — such as representing Starshield to Pentagon combatant commands.[1] A 2024 Chinese national security document speculated that Starshield may include interceptors that could disable intercontinental ballistic missiles and collapse the doctrine of mutual assured destruction. They also noted the difficulty in distinguishing military and civilian satellites in a constellation.[13]
The program is led by former four-star general Terrence O'Shaughnessy who previously ran U.S. Northern Command.[1]
The first satellites were designed for the Space Development Agency and outfitted with advanced infrared sensors meant to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.[14] In 2021, Starshield had entered a $1.8 billion classified contract with the U.S. government, revealed in 2023,[1] to construct hundreds of spy satellites for continuous real time monitoring of targets around the globe.[9] These are slated to begin operations from May 2024, starting with NROL-146. These satellites are made in cooperation with Northrop Grumman.[15]
- ^ a b c d e FitzGerald, Micah Maidenberg and Drew. "Musk's SpaceX Forges Tighter Links With U.S. Spy and Military Agencies". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ Erwin, Sandra (2023-01-19). "With Starshield, SpaceX readies for battle". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "SpaceX - Starshield". www.spacex.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ Sheetz, Michael (2022-12-05). "SpaceX unveils 'Starshield,' a military variation of Starlink satellites". CNBC. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ a b Erwin, Sandra (5 October 2020). "L3Harris, SpaceX win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ Erwin, Sandra (21 April 2019). "Space Development Agency a huge win for Griffin in his war against the status quo". Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ Freedberg, Sydney (20 August 2018). "Space-Based Missile Defense Can Be Done: DoD R&D. Chief Griffin". Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ "Hypersonic Missile Defense: Issues for Congress". Congressional Research Service. 22 January 2022. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say". Reuters. 2024-03-16.
- ^ Porter, Jon (2023-09-28). "SpaceX inks first Space Force deal for government-focused Starshield satellite network". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
- ^ Erwin, Sandra (2024-05-01). "NRO's first batch of next-generation spy satellites set for launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "SpaceX.com/Starshield". SpaceX. 2022. Archived from the original on 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ Jiayao, Li (2024-03-22). "US seeks space hegemony via militarization". China Military. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Erwin, Sandra (5 October 2020). "L3Harris, SpaceX win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ Berger, Eric (2024-04-18). "SpaceX and Northrop are working on a constellation of spy satellites". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2024-05-14.
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