Starshield has debuted… this new effort by SpaceX leverages Starlink technology and launch capability in support of national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on three areas:
- Earth Observation: Starshield will launch satellites with sensing payloads and will deliver processed data directly to the user.
- Communications: Starshield will provide assured global communications to government users with Starshield user equipment.
- Hosted payloads: Starshield will build satellite buses to support the most demanding customer payload missions.
- Security: Starlink already offers unparalleled, end-to-end, user data encryption and will employ additional, high-assurance, cryptographic capabilities to host classified payloads and will process data securely to meet the most demanding government requirements.
- Modular Design: Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites will be capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users.
- Interoperability: Starlink’s inter-satellite laser communications terminal, which is the only communications laser operating at scale in orbit today, can be integrated onto partner satellites to enable incorporation into the Starshield network.
- Rapid Development and Deployment: With the proven ability to iterate rapidly, SpaceX’s unique full-stack approach in developing end-to-end systems, from launch vehicles to user terminals, enables the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed.
- Resilient and scalable capability: Starshield’s proliferated LEO architecture provides inherent resiliency and constant connectivity to on-orbit assets, while SpaceX’s proven rapid launch capability provides expedient and economical access to space.
- Proven Partnerships: SpaceX’s ongoing work with the Department of Defense and other partners demonstrates the company’s ability to provide in-space and on-ground capability at scale.
