SpaceX is building a secret spy satellite for the United States. This was reported by several sources via Reuters. SpaceX will build an entire network of spy satellites for the NRO, the National Reconnaissance Office. The network will be part of a $1.8 billion contract awarded to SpaceX in 2021.
Sources indicate that this network could very well help the United States detect threats from anywhere in the world. The NRO is responsible for sharing classified satellite images with the Pentagon and CIA. It is operated by SpaceX under the Starshield contract and like many other satellites, this network operates from low Earth orbit.
Surveillance satellites
A source said the satellites provide surveillance and will be the most diverse, capable and flexible system the world has ever known. It is of course also very interesting for the US military, which may also be able to access or obtain information from this network. The network is said to be partly in place: The twelve prototype satellites traveled on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and were installed in 2020.
Starshield, sound familiar? Its name is similar to Starlink, SpaceX's internet satellites, which you can now also subscribe to in the Netherlands. Of these aircraft, there are now 5,500 in the air, and more need to be added. But perhaps also spy satellites. The United States government has indicated that it considers this very important, this kind of quick way to find out what's happening in a particular place on Earth. However, you don't seem to be able to hide from him easily.
Starshield
It is characteristic that these satellites are placed in low Earth orbit: the satellites are usually in a somewhat higher position. However, looking up using satellites seems to be more expensive, and Americans seem to find it a bit difficult that other countries are also interested in space, including China. So there also seems to be some haste in dealing with that Starshield network.
