SpaceX is reportedly collaborating with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to develop a classified satellite network known as Starshield, under a $1.8 billion contract, according to five sources familiar with the project, Reuters reports.
This project aims to enhance the US government and military’s surveillance capabilities by deploying hundreds of satellites in low orbit as a swarm equipped with Earth-imaging capabilities. The network, operated by SpaceX’s Starshield business unit, will enable the identification of potential targets globally and share data with US officials.
The Starshield network represents a significant advancement in space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. It’s part of the broader competition among nations for dominance in space, with China and Russia also advancing their satellite constellations.
