2024-03-17 12:03:07
Washington: Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a secret contract with the US intelligence agency. This is being said to be evidence of deep ties between Musk’s space company SpaceX and America’s national security agencies. The network is being built under a $1.8 billion contract SpaceX’s Starshield business unit signed with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) in 2021, the sources said. NRO is America’s intelligence agency, which manages spy satellites.
America will keep an eye on every corner
These projects reflect the extent of SpaceX’s involvement in US intelligence agencies and military projects. The US is investing massively in building a vast network of satellites orbiting the Earth to support its ground forces and keep an eye on enemies. Sources say that if this project is successful, the US government and military will significantly increase their ability to instantly identify potential targets almost anywhere in the world.
Biden administration is counting on Elon Musk
Sources say that this contract received by SpaceX is a symbol of the increasing confidence of American intelligence agencies in Musk’s company SpaceX. However, Elon Musk has also had a clash with the Biden administration. American newspaper Wall Street Journal had revealed about this contract in February itself. However, SpaceX was not named in the report. The report, without providing details of the program’s objectives, said a $1.8 billion Qualified Starshield contract had been signed with an unnamed intelligence agency.
Hundreds of satellites will be launched
The contract with SpaceX will establish a powerful new spying system. For this, hundreds of Earth-screening satellites will be launched, which will be able to work as a swarm in a fixed orbit of the Earth. However, it is not decided when these satellites will be brought online. It is also a secret as to which other companies apart from SpaceX NRO has contracted with in this project.