Space espionage? SpaceX may be building spy satellites for the US

In addition to sending satellites to complete the Starlink constellation, SpaceX may also be on a mission to develop hundreds of satellites that could spy on targets on the Earth’s surface. According to a publication of the international agency Reuters, them The spy satellites will be able to capture images of the entire Earth and will be used by a US intelligence agency.

Information shows Elon Musk’s company is shutting down Contract worth US$ 1.8 billion (about R$ 9 billion at current prices) with a so-called agencyIt is known as the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

The satellite network is called Starshield and is supposed to constantly collect images of the entire Earth. According to one of the sources who revealed the news, ‘no one will be able to hide’ from these spacecraft.

The sources who disclosed the data asked to remain completely anonymous because they were not authorized to disclose information regarding the US government’s espionage project. China and Russia may also be developing their own satellites to spy on other countries.

“The National Reconnaissance Office is developing the most capable, diverse and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen,” an NRO spokesman said, while acknowledging that it was developing a satellite system, but denied any agency involvement with SpaceX.

Spy satellite and SpaceX

As sources explain, SpaceX has developed nearly 12 spy satellite prototypes since 2020, but they do not know whether this is related to the Starshield program. Elon Musk’s company has published a website describing the Starshield program, revealing that it is being developed for ‘government use’ with a focus on Earth observation, but makes no reference to espionage or the NRO.

In the past, The US Department of Defense (DoD) has already used Falcon 9 rockets to launch military vehicles into space; So it wouldn’t be that ridiculous for Elon Musk to get involved in this so-called new program.

Recently, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell said that the company already has great cooperation with the intelligence community. So, it is not yet fully confirmed that the company is developing a spy satellite for a North American agency.

“The plans demonstrate the extent of SpaceX’s involvement in US military and intelligence projects and suggest the Pentagon is making a deeper investment in large low-Earth orbit satellite systems aimed at supporting ground forces. If successful, the program would significantly increase the U.S. government and military’s ability to quickly identify potential targets virtually anywhere in the world,” sources told Reuters.

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