Reuters: Elon Musk's SpaceX is building a network of satellites for US intelligence

Washington, USA (Svidomi) — According to Reuters sources, US billionaire Elon Musk's SpaceX is developing a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a classified contract with the US intelligence agency.

Starshield, a division of SpaceX, is building a network of spy satellites. In 2021, the company signed a $1.8 billion contract with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the US Department of Defence intelligence agency that manages satellite reconnaissance.

The plans show the extent of SpaceX's involvement in US intelligence and military projects and illustrate the Pentagon's deeper investment in massive low-Earth orbit satellite systems to support ground forces.

According to the newspaper's sources, if successful, the programme will significantly enhance the ability of the US government and military to identify potential targets almost anywhere in the world quickly. These satellites are expected to be more resilient to any possible attacks.

SpaceX did not respond to Reuters' request to comment on the contract, its role, or details about the satellite launch. At the same time, the NRO acknowledged that it is developing a complex satellite system in partnership with other government and research institutions, companies, and countries, but it declined to comment on SpaceX's role in the programme.

Reuters could not determine when the new satellite network would be launched and what other companies were involved in the programme under other contracts.

The Starshield network is supposed to be separate from Starlink, for which SpaceX has launched about 5,500 satellites into space to provide Internet access to consumers, businesses and government agencies worldwide.