Since 2021, SpaceX’s Starshield unit has had a confidential contract with the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to build a network of “hundreds” of spy satellites for the agency. Reuters Today’s report quoted unnamed sources as “familiar with the plan”.
A wall street journal A report in February listed confidential contracts worth $1.8 billion between SpaceX and a then-unnamed government agency.Now Reuters A name has been attached, and it is to establish a network of “hundreds of satellites with Earth imaging capabilities that can operate in clusters in low orbit”.
The report did not say when the network would become operational or what other companies were involved. It did mention that a U.S. space object database lists satellites deployed by SpaceX, but that the company and the government have not acknowledged it, citing sources confirming that the objects are StarShield prototypes.
according to ReutersIf the NRO contract is successful, it will “significantly improve the U.S. government and military’s ability to quickly detect potential targets virtually anywhere in the world.”
An NRO spokesman reportedly declined to comment Reuters After learning about the findings involving SpaceX, the company confirmed to the media that it is working to develop “the most capable, diverse, and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen.”
