Starlink, But for National Security: SpaceX Unveils Starshield

SpaceX is preparing to expand its Starlink technology to military and government applications with a new program called Starshield. 

The company is promoting(Opens in a new window) Starshield as a satellite communication service for “national security” purposes. It’s designed to leverage the same technology as Starlink, but it goes beyond merely supplying high-speed internet. 

SpaceX mentions three areas of focus for Starshield, the first of which includes powering end-to-end encrypted communications for government clients.

“Starlink already offers unparalleled end-to-end user data encryption,” the company says. “Starshield uses additional high-assurance cryptographic capability to host classified payloads and process data securely, meeting the most demanding government requirements.”

A Starshield system can also operate as a surveillance network. The web page for Starshield mentions launching “satellites with sensing payloads” capable of Earth observations.  

The third focus for Starshield will involve SpaceX launching customized payloads for government customers over the satellites. “Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users,” the company says.

The Starshield web page adds that SpaceX can help governments develop a Starshield system from “end-to-end,” including the necessary user terminals to connect to the satellite network. It then mentions how the company has already been partnering(Opens in a new window) with the US Defense Department to launch government satellites into space. 

SpaceX hasn’t said much else about Starshield. So it’s unclear if Starshield will function as its own satellite constellation, or piggyback on the existing Starlink network, which currently operates over 3,200 satellites in Earth’s orbit.

However, Starlink’s use in Ukraine has demonstrated how valuable the satellite internet technology can be for defense and communication purposes. In addition, the Starshield program could help SpaceX win lucrative contracts from government clients, including the Pentagon.