Elon Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say
This isn't the US government's first use of SpaceX's services, with the Pentagon previously using Falcon 9 rockets to launch military payloads into space.
The plans show the extent of SpaceX's involvement in US intelligence and military projects and illustrate a deeper Pentagon investment into vast, low-Earth orbiting satellite systems aimed at supporting ground forces. The Wall Street Journal reported in February the existence of a $1.8 billion classified Starshield contract with an unknown intelligence agency without detailing the purposes of the programme.
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 the extent of 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.
A US government database of objects in orbit shows several SpaceX missions having deployed satellites that neither the company nor the government have ever acknowledged. Two sources confirmed those to be prototypes for the Starshield network.The Pentagon is already a big SpaceX customer, using its Falcon 9 rockets to launch military payloads into space.
A series of Reuters' stories has detailed how Musk's manufacturing operations, including at SpaceX, have harmed consumers and workers.
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