SpaceX builds network of hundreds of spy satellites under a contract classified as US intelligence agencyThis was reported by five sources close to the program, demonstrating deepening ties between the space company Elon Musk and agencies National security.

The network is built by the business unit SpaceX Star Shield by contract $1.8 billion signed in 2021 with National Bureau of Recognition (NRO), an intelligence agency that operates spy satellites, the sources said.

The plans show the extent of SpaceX’s involvement in US military and intelligence projects and illustrate a larger Pentagon Investments in Wide-Orbit Satellite Systems short intended to support ground forces.

If successful, the program would significantly improve the US government and military’s ability to Quickly locate potential targets virtually anywhere in the world.

The contract demonstrates the growing confidence of the intelligence services in the company, the owner of which faced Joe Biden government and sparked controversy over the use of satellite communications. Starlink V Ukrainian warsources said.

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He Wall Street Journal announced the existence in February Secret Star Shield Contract for $1.8 billion with an unknown intelligence agency, without specifying the purpose of the program.

Information about Reuters reveals for the first time that the SpaceX contract is for a powerful new spy system with hundreds of satellites capable of receiving images of the Earth that they can act as a swarm in low orbits and that the spy agency Musk’s company is working with is NRO.

Reuters No could determine when it will go into operation a new satellite network or to determine which other companies are participating in the program under their own contracts.

SpaceX, company largest satellite operator in the world, did not respond to several requests for comment about the contract, its role in it or details about the satellite launches. He Pentagon sent requests for comment to NRO and SpaceX.

In his statement NRO acknowledged its mission to develop a complex satellite system and its partnerships with other government agencies, companies, countries and research institutions, but declined to comment on Reuters’ findings on the extent of SpaceX’s involvement in the effort.

“NRO is developing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system more capable, diverse and the toughest the world has ever seen“, the representative said.

IMAGES FAST AND EVERYWHERE

According to sources, satellites can track goals in land and share this data with the US military and intelligence agencies.

In principle, this would allow the government to quickly obtain continuous images of ongoing events almost anywhere on the planet, helping intelligence agencies and military operationsthey added.

Since 2020, about a dozen prototypes have been launched, including satellites on rockets. Falcon 9SpaceX, three sources said.

The official database of objects in orbit shows that several SpaceX missions deployed satellites that neither the company nor the government ever recognized. Two sources confirmed that these were prototypes of the Starshield network.

All sources asked the question remain anonymous because they were not authorized to talk about the government program.

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The Pentagon is already a major SpaceX customer and uses the Falcon 9 to launch its rockets. military cargo into space. The first prototype of the Starshield satellite, launched in 2020, was part of a separate contract worth approximately $200 million This helped SpaceX secure a subsequent $1.8 billion award, the source said.

“No one can hide”one source said of the system’s potential capacity, describing the network’s reach.

The Starshield Network is part of competition between the United States and its rivals will become the dominant military power in space, in part by expanding spy satellite systems from bulky and expensive spacecraft to higher orbits.

Instead, a vast low-Earth orbit network could provide faster, near-constant images of Earth.

China also plans to begin building its own satellite constellations.The Pentagon warned of threats from space weapons from Russiawhich can bring down entire satellite networks.

Starshield aims to get bigger resistant to attacks from modern space powers.

NRO has US Space Force and CIA employees and provides classified satellite imagery to the Pentagon and other intelligence agencies.

(Reuters)