SpaceX Starshield

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Starshield" redirects here. For the book series, see Starshield (fiction).

Starshield is a separate Starlink service designed by SpaceX for government entities and military agencies.[1][2][3][4] Starshield aims to be owned by the US government and controlled by the United States Space Force,[5] enabling the DoD to own or lease Starshield satellites for partners and allies.[1]

Starshield was announced in 2022, the year Starlink began to be used extensively in the Russo-Ukrainian war.[6] While Starlink is a civilian network and had not been adapted for military use,[5][4] Starshield has the usual requirements for mobile military systems like encryption and anti-jam capabilities.[4] Starshield will reportedly consist of "a couple hundred" planned satellites.[7]

In 2021, Starshield had entered a $1.8 billion classified contract with the U.S. government, revealed in 2023.[7]

History[edit]

Starshield program[edit]

In December 2022, SpaceX announced Starshield, a separate Starlink service designed for government entities and military agencies.[1][2][3][4] Starshield enables the DoD to own or lease Starshield satellites for partners and allies.[1] Starshield was first announced in late 2022, when Starlink's presence in Ukraine became more talked about.[6] While Starlink had not been adapted for military use, Starshield has the usual requirements for mobile military systems like encryptions and anti-jam capabilities.[4]

The announcement of Starshield separated the commercial constellation and the one for highly sensitive government and military customers.[1] While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for US government use.[2] Elon Musk stated that Starlink needed to be a civilian network, not to participate in combat. As such, he stated that Starshield will be owned the US government and controlled by the US Space Force, which he viewed as "the right order of things".[5]

Starshield is advertised as having an initial focus on three areas; Earth observation, communications and hosted payloads.[8]

In September 2023, the first contract of the Starshield program was announced.[9][10] This contract with the US Space Force plans to provide customized satellite communications for the military.[11] This is under the Space Force's new "Proliferated Low Earth Orbit" program for LEO satellites, where Space Force will allocate up to $900 million worth of contracts over the next 10 years. Although 16 vendors are competing for awards, the SpaceX contract is the only one to have been issued to date.[9][11] The one-year Starshield contract was awarded on September 1, 2023.[5] The contract is expected to support 54 mission partners across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.[5]

SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell has noted that not much could be communicated about Starshield, but remarked the "very good collaboration" between the intelligence community and SpaceX.[7] The Wall Street Journal reported that Starshield's online job postings required people with top-secret clearances, as well as experience working with the Defense Department and intelligence community — such as representing Starshield to Pentagon combatant commands.[7]

In 2021, Starshield had entered a $1.8 billion classified contract with the U.S. government, revealed in 2023.[7] The 2021 contract with the US government doesn't disclose the name of the government. In the documents of the contract, SpaceX says that funds from the contract were expected to become an important part of the revenue mix of the company after 2021.[7] Reuters revealed in 2024 that this contract was between the National Reconnaissance Office and SpaceX, and for a spy satellite network counting hundred of satellites functioning as a swarm.[12] The satellites will have imaging capabilities and the satellite network will enable the US government to have continuous imagery of nearly anywhere around the globe.[12] Starshield also plans to be more resilient to attack from other powers.[12]

According to Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the Starshield constellation will be have a "couple hundreds" satellites, compared to Starlink's amount of over 5400.[7]

In February 2024, the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party sent a letter to Elon Musk stating that the Starshield program was potentially in breach of contract for not providing access to U.S. troops stationed in Taiwan when "global access" was "possibly" required by the contract.[13][14] SpaceX responded that they were in full compliance with their U.S. government contracts. SpaceX had notified the Select Committee a week earlier that they were misinformed, but the Select Committee "chose to contact media before seeking additional information [regarding Starshield military use in Taiwan]".[15]

Starlink military satellites[edit]

Elon Musk and four-star general Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy in April 2019
Further information: Starlink § Military satellites

Before Starshield, SpaceX already designed, built, and launched customized military satellites based on variants of the Starlink satellite bus, with the largest publicly known customer being the Space Development Agency (SDA). The SDA was formed in 2018 as part of a Trump Administration effort to resurrect the Reagan-era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).[16][17] SDA accelerates development of missile defense capabilities using industry-procured low-cost low Earth orbit satellite platforms.[18] The program was conceived and instituted by Under Secretary of Defense (R&E) Michael D. Griffin (who had decades earlier joined Musk on his trip to Russia to examine ICBMs as part of SpaceX's founding).[19] A few months after Space Development Agency was announced, SpaceX Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell was asked by the United States Air Force, given the nature of the program, whether SpaceX would launch weapons into space for the US military. She affirmed "we would if it's for the defense of this country."[20]

Future Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering Michael D. Griffin meets with Elon Musk and Larry Williams, former VP of Teledesic in 2005.

In October 2020, SDA awarded SpaceX an initial $150 million dual-use contract to develop 4 satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.[21] The first batch of satellites were originally scheduled to launch September 2022 to form part of the Tracking Layer Tranche 0 of the Space Force's National Defense Space Architecture.[22] The launch schedule slipped multiple times but eventually launched in April 2023.[23][24]

The NDSA will be composed of seven layers with specific functions: data transport, battle management, missile tracking, custody/weapons targeting, satellite navigation, deterrence, and ground support.[25][26] Historically, space-based missile defense concepts were expensive, but reusable launch systems have mitigated costs according to a 2019 Congressional Budget Office analysis.[27] NDSA leverages existing commercial satellite bus development such as Starlink to reduce costs, including free-space optical laser terminals for a secure command and control mesh network.[22] The 2019 Missile Defense Review notes space-based sensing enables "improved tracking and potentially targeting of advanced threats, including HGVs and hypersonic cruise missiles".[28] However, the Union of Concerned Scientists warns developments could escalate tensions with Russia and China and called the project "fundamentally destabilizing".[29] The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace later advocated for a treaty halting development to prevent an arms race in space.[30]

In 2020, the Air Force utilized Starlink in support of its Advanced Battlefield management system during a live-fire exercise. They demonstrated Starlink connected to a "variety of air and terrestrial assets" including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.[31]

Since 2021, Starlink's military satellite development is overseen internally at SpaceX by retired four-star general Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy.[32][33] O'Shaughnessy advocated before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services for a layered capability with lethal follow-on that incorporates machine learning and artificial intelligence to gather and act upon sensor data quickly.[34] Terrence O’Shaughnessy reportedly has had a high-level role at Starshield.[7]

SpaceX was not awarded a contract for the larger Tranche 1, with awards going to York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.[35]

As Starlink was being relied on in the Russo-Ukrainian war, expert on battlefield communications Thomas Wellington argued that Starlink signals, because they use narrow focused beams, are less vulnerable to interference and jamming by the enemy in wartime than satellites flying in higher orbits.[36]

Launches[edit]

Between 2020 and March 2024, a dozen Starshield prototypes and operational satellites were launched on Falcon 9.[12] Reuters reported that these satellites have never been acknowledged by SpaceX or the US government and remain classified.[12]

It is suspected[by whom?] as per the images,[37] that the two SpaceX-built Starlink derived Space Development Agency Tranche 0 Flight 1 Tracking Layer infrared imaging satellites launched on 2 April 2023 are based on the Starshield satellite bus.[38][37] Similar confirmed evidences were found during Starlink Group 7-16 launch when US cataloged only 20 of a 22 starlink batch and designated the next USA satellite launch as 352 and skipped 350 and 351, that are Starshield satellites.[39]

This section is an excerpt from List of Starlink and Starshield launches § Starshield.[edit]
Starshield launches[40]
No. Mission Name or Designation Sat. Ver. COSPAR ID Date and time,
UTC 		Launch site Orbit Satellites Outcome Customer
Altitude Orbital Inclination Deployed Working
– USA 312-313[41] v1.0 2020-101 19 December 2020
14:00:00 		KSC, LC-39A 540 km (340 mi)[42] 53° 2[43] 2 Success National Reconnaissance Office
Posssibly launched on NROL-108 mission. Likely test Starshield satellites.[44]
1 USA 320-323 v1.5 2022-002 13 January 2022
15:25:38 		CCSFS, SLC-40 525 km (326 mi) 97.6° 4 1 Success Unknown US Government Agency
Likely test versions or operational Starshield satellites. Part of Transporter-3 (SmallSat Rideshare Mission 3).
2 USA 328-331 v1.5 2022-064 19 June 2022
04:27 		CCSFS, SLC-40 535 km (332 mi) 52° 4 4 Success Unknown US Government Agency
Likely test versions or operational Starshield satellites. Launched with Globalstar-2 FM-15 (M087) mission.
3 Tracking Layer (Tranche 0A) v1.5 2023-050 2 April 2023
14:29 		VSFB, SLC-4E 951 km (591 mi)[45] 80.99°[45] 2[46] 2 Success Space Development Agency
Likely operational Starshield satellites. Hosts infrared payloads manufactured by Leidos. Launched with 8 York Space Systems-built Transport layer satellites on this mission.[47][48]
4 Tracking Layer (Tranche 0B) v1.5 2023-133 2 September 2023
14:25 		VSFB, SLC-4E 951 km (591 mi)[45] 80.99° 2[46] 2 Success Space Development Agency
Likely operational Starshield satellites. Hosts infrared payloads manufactured by Leidos. Launched with one York Space Systems-built and 10 Lockheed Martin/Tyvak Space Systems-built Transport layer satellites on this mission.[48]
5 USA 350-351 v2.0 Mini 2024-050 19 March 2024, 02:28 VSFB, SLC-4E 525 km (326 mi) 53.05° 2 2 Success Unknown US Government Agency
Launched as a part of Starlink Group 7-16 mission.[49][50]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Erwin, Sandra (2023-01-19). "With Starshield, SpaceX readies for battle". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  2. ^ a b c "SpaceX - Starshield". www.spacex.com. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  3. ^ a b Sheetz, Michael (2022-12-05). "SpaceX unveils 'Starshield,' a military variation of Starlink satellites". CNBC. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
  4. ^ a b c d e Team, ESD Editorial (2023-05-30). "Ukraine's Favourite Dish". euro-sd.com. Archived from the original on 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  5. ^ a b c d e Porter, Jon (2023-09-28). "SpaceX inks first Space Force deal for government-focused Starshield satellite network". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2024-01-05. Retrieved 2024-01-05.
  6. ^ a b "SpaceX's Starshield means Starlink has become a juggernaut". 2023-11-22. Archived from the original on 2023-12-04.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h FitzGerald, Micah Maidenberg and Drew. "Musk's SpaceX Forges Tighter Links With U.S. Spy and Military Agencies". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  8. ^ "SpaceX.com/Starshield". SpaceX. 2022. Archived from the original on 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  9. ^ a b Erwin, Sandra (2023-10-03). "SpaceX providing Starlink services to DoD under 'unique terms and conditions'". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  10. ^ "SpaceX wins first Pentagon contract for Starshield". CNBC. 2023-09-27. Archived from the original on 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  11. ^ a b "Starlink's Starshield wins contract with US Space Force". 2023-09-27. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency m, sources say". Reuters. 2024-03-16.
  13. ^ "House China committee demands Elon Musk open SpaceX Starshield internet to U.S. troops in Taiwan". CNBC. 2024-02-24. Archived from the original on 2024-02-25. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  14. ^ "SpaceX May Be Withholding Satellite Internet in Taiwan, Congressman Contends". The Wall Street Journal. February 24, 2024. Archived from the original on 2024-02-25. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  15. ^ "SpaceX Refutes Claim It's Withholding Starshield in Taiwan". Bloomberg.com. 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  16. ^ Popkin, Gabriel (22 January 2019). "Decades after Reagan's 'Star Wars,' Trump calls for missile defenses that would blast warheads from the sky". Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  17. ^ Pompeo, Mike (18 January 2022). "Nuclear Weapons, China, and a Strategic Defense Initiative for this Century". Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
  18. ^ Erwin, Sandra (21 April 2019). "Space Development Agency a huge win for Griffin in his war against the status quo". Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  19. ^ Kenneth Chang (30 May 2020). "Entrepreneur Tries His Midas Touch in Space, New York Times". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  20. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (21 September 2018). "SpaceX Exec Says Company Would Launch A Weapon Into Space In 'Defense Of This Country'". Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  21. ^ Erwin, Sandra (5 October 2020). "L3Harris, SpaceX win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  22. ^ a b Machi, Vivienne (1 June 2021). "US Military Places a Bet on LEO for Space Security". Space Development Agency. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  23. ^ Erwin, Sandra (2 April 2022). "SpaceX launches 10 satellites for U.S. Space Development Agency". Archived from the original on 13 December 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  24. ^ Erwin, Sandra (2022-12-09). "Space Development Agency's first launch slips to March due to satellite glitch". SpaceNews. Archived from the original on 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  25. ^ "Hypersonic Missile Defense: Issues for Congress". Congressional Research Service. 22 January 2022. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  26. ^ "'Warfighter Council' Guides Capability Development for Space Development Agency". U.S. Department of Defense. 4 March 2021. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Costs of Implementing Recommendations of the 2019 Missile Defense Review". Congressional Budget Office. 1 January 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  28. ^ "2019 Missile Defense Review" (PDF). Office of the Secretary of Defense. 1 November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 January 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Space-based Missile Defense". Union of Concerned Scientists. 30 August 2018. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Approaching the Third Rail? A Trilateral Treaty to Prohibit Space-Based Missile Defenses". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 16 December 2021. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  31. ^ Rich, Gillian (23 September 2020). "SpaceX Starlink Impresses Air Force Weapons Buyer In Big Live-Fire Exercise". Investors. Archived from the original on 17 November 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  32. ^ "Elon Musk's SpaceX, Once a Washington Outsider, Courts Military Business". The Wall Street Journal. 4 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  33. ^ "NDIA Appoints 16 Members to Board". GovCon Wire. 5 October 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  34. ^ "Statement of General Terrence J. O'Shaugnessy before the Senate Armed Services Committee" (PDF). U.S. Senate. 13 February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  35. ^ "Space Development Agency Makes Awards for 126 Satellites to Build Tranche 1 Transport Laye". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  36. ^ "How Elon Musk's satellites have saved Ukraine and changed warfare". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
  37. ^ a b "Tranche 0 flight 1's 2 tracking layer sats' matches the on-orbit images released on starshield page for Starshield sats". Twitter. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  38. ^ "Tracking Layer Tranche-0 WFOV 1, ..., 4". Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  39. ^ "The identification of the Electron payload 2024-053A as "USA 352" changes the balance of evidence on the Mar 19 Starlink Group 7-16 launch: it now seems likely that it DID carry two classified payloads, likely Starshield, to be designated USA 350 and USA 351 (59274/59275?)". X (Formerly Twitter).
  40. ^ "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say". Reuters. 2023-03-16.
  41. ^ "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say". Reuters. 2023-03-16.
  42. ^ "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say". Reuters. 2023-03-16.
  43. ^ "Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say". Reuters. 2023-03-16.
  44. ^ Danny Lentz (April 2, 2023). "SpaceX launches initial satellites for Space Development Agency". nasaspaceflight.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  45. ^ "The identification of the Electron payload 2024-053A as "USA 352" changes the balance of evidence on the Mar 19 Starlink Group 7-16 launch: it now seems likely that it DID carry two classified payloads, likely Starshield, to be designated USA 350 and USA 351 (59274/59275?)". X (Formerly Twitter).
  46. ^ "Space-Track have cataloged objects from the Mar 19 Starlink launch and it is now confirmed that two secret satellites were aboard, USA 350 and USA 351 (presumed Starshield sats) that are cataloged as 2024-050W and X (59274 and 59275)".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SpaceX_Starshield&oldid=1215396019"