This is SpaceX’s first contract with the US Air Force to deploy a new constellation of Starshield satellites.
Little is known about Starshield’s progress, but SpaceX has revealed several key aspects of the project. For example, this project will use the same broadband technology as the Starlink constellation of satellites. However, it will be intended for government purposes, in particular for use by the US military and related organizations.
Starshield leverages SpaceX Starlink technology and capabilities to support national security efforts
The project would have three primary missions: Earth observation, communications, and “the most demanding customer missions.” The third scenario leaves open the possibility of a wide range of instruments and mission types.
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite-based broadband streaming network, is primarily used to provide high-speed Internet access to remote areas.
The US Air Force tested Starlink for military purposes in 2020. At the time, the Air Force was conducting a large-scale combat exercise in which satellites provided communications between military installations across the United States to help neutralize a drone and a cruise missile. “SpaceX is a great partner. We look forward to demonstrating the capabilities of their satellites,” US Air Force spokesman William Roper said at the time.
Starshield will offer a higher level of cybersecurity than conventional Starlink satellites, including “additional features of highly secure cryptographic protection to host classified payloads and process data in a secure manner that meets the most stringent government requirements.”
The satellites will be able to communicate with existing Starlink satellites using laser communication systems. This will potentially increase the range and capabilities of Starshield as the new military-focused force is developed.
At the moment, SpaceX has already launched more than 5,000 Starlink satellites, and more than 4,000 of them are still operational. The company has applied to launch nearly 30,000 additional satellites beyond that number.
