Elon Musk Wins Contract to Create Military Satellite Internet for the US Government
Elon Musk's company, SpaceX, has embarked on the implementation of an ambitious project—an alternative satellite internet network called Starshield, designed for the use of the United States government. SpaceX has already secured its first contract with the United States Space Force for the deployment of a government satellite network, as reported by Bloomberg.
According to SpaceX, the Starshield project aims to be a "secure satellite network for government entities" and will operate in parallel with the standard Starlink network, intended for civilian use. Starshield will utilize the existing SpaceX Starlink satellites, which are already successfully operational, eliminating the need for additional satellite deployment in Earth's orbit.
The contract between SpaceX and the United States Space Force was signed on September 1st and will remain in effect for one year. Under the agreement, SpaceX will provide a "full spectrum of Starshield services through the Starlink infrastructure, user equipment, network management, and other related services." The maximum contract value is $70 million, with SpaceX expected to receive $15 million by the end of this month. The project is set to support 54 mission partners in defense, the military, navy, aviation, and coastal security.
This initiative has gained significance in the context of geopolitical events, especially following the events of the previous autumn. Elon Musk's decision to refrain from activating the Starlink network around the occupied Crimea during the Ukrainian maritime drone attack resulted in a failed operation. This occurred before the Pentagon entered into a contract with SpaceX to provide Starlink services to Ukraine. However, Musk's actions and controversial steps, including his conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, raised questions from American lawmakers regarding his reliability as a Pentagon contractor. As a result, the Senate Armed Services Committee initiated an investigation.
"SpaceX is a primary contractor and a critical industry partner for the Department of Defense, receiving billions of dollars from taxpayers. We are deeply concerned about SpaceX's ability and willingness to disrupt its services at Mr. Musk's whim, potentially impeding the self-defense of a sovereign nation while effectively protecting Russian interests," stated a letter from a group of Democratic senators to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
SpaceX has not responded to requests for comment on the new contract. However, in a Wednesday Twitter post, Elon Musk stated that Starlink is meant to be a civilian network and not involved in military actions, while Starshield will belong to the US government and be under the control of the Space Force Department of Defense.