Elon Musk’s SpaceX is building a network of spy satellites for the US intelligence agency, says agency

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Sources interviewed by Reuters say the equipment can monitor targets on the ground and send this data to US intelligence and military authorities. Starship at SpaceX’s air base in Texas, before its third launch, in a photo from March 13, 2024 Reuters/Joe Skipper SpaceX, billionaire Elon Musk’s aerospace company, is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a secret contract with a US intelligence agency, sources familiar with the program revealed to Reuters. The network is being built by SpaceX’s Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency that manages spy satellites, the sources explained. 🚀 SpaceX makes its best Starship test flight, but does not complete the journey The plans show the extent of SpaceX’s involvement in US military and intelligence projects and illustrate a deeper investment by the Pentagon in several low-Earth orbit satellite systems intended supporting ground forces. If successful, the program would significantly increase the ability of the U.S. government and military to quickly identify potential targets virtually anywhere in the world. Satellites can track targets on the ground and share that data with U.S. intelligence and military authorities. In principle, this would allow the government to quickly capture continuous footage of activity on the ground virtually anywhere, aiding military and intelligence operations. About a dozen prototypes have been launched since 2020, among other satellites on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, three of the sources said. The contract signals growing confidence by U.S. government intelligence in a company whose owner has clashed with the Biden administration and sparked controversy over its use of Starlink satellite connectivity in the Ukraine war, the sources said. Reuters was unable to determine when the new satellite network will come into operation and was unable to establish which other companies are part of the program with their own contracts. SpaceX, the world’s largest satellite operator, did not respond to multiple requests for comment about the contract, its role in it and details about satellite launches. The Pentagon referred a request for comment to the NRO and SpaceX. In a statement, the NRO acknowledged its mission to develop a sophisticated satellite system and its partnerships with other government agencies, companies, research institutions and nations, but declined to comment on Reuters’ findings about SpaceX’s involvement in the effort. “The National Reconnaissance Office is developing the most capable, diverse and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen,” said a spokesperson. All sources asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to discuss the U.S. government program. READ ALSO: TikTok under pressure: who owns the app and why the network arouses distrust among politicians in the US ‘Future generations will never understand’: trend recalls unusual relationships between images; take the g1 quiz and test your knowledge US House approves bill that could ban TikTok in the country SpaceX makes the best test flight of Starship, the largest ship in the world; watch video SpaceX performs the best test flight of Starship, the largest spacecraft in the world; watch video Apple Vision Pro: see first impressions of virtual reality glasses Apple Vision Pro: see first impressions of virtual reality glasses Hyundai presents ‘flying car’ concept at CES 2024 Hyundai presents ‘flying car’ concept at CES 2024

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