SpaceX Receives $70 Million in First Contract With Space Force for Starshield Military Satellites

Elon Musk's SpaceX received millions for its first contract with the U.S. Space Force. The one-year contract involved SpaceX's Starshield satellites.

SpaceX Awarded $70 Million Contract.

According to the defense department, Elon Musk's SpaceX has received its first verified contract from the Pentagon for the Starshield network it is building, which is a military-specific adaptation of the company's Starlink satellite internet system.

A spokeswoman for the Space Force has verified that SpaceX was given a one-year contract for Starshield worth $70 million on Sept. 1. The award was given to 18 other businesses through a program run by the Commercial Satellite Communications Office of the Space Force.

"The SpaceX contract provides for Starshield end-to-end service (via the Starlink constellation), user terminals, ancillary equipment, network management, and other related services," said Ann Stefanek, a spokesman for the Space Force.

Starshield was introduced by SpaceX last year. The Pentagon has shown increased interest in the company's Starlink satellite broadband and is already a significant customer for rocket launches.

About the projected scope and capabilities of Starshield, SpaceX has provided little details. With capabilities different from those of its Starlink consumer and enterprise network, it touts the service as the hub of an "end-to-end," dedicated offering for national security.

SpaceX hasn't commented on the Starshield deal. However, its CEO and founder had already released a statement about Starshield and Starlink.

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Elon Musk on Starlink and Starshield

Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) and announced that Starlink "needs to be a civilian network" and will not be involved in combat. However, Starshield will be owned by the government, and the Department of Defense Space Force will take charge. The Tesla founder added, "This is the right order of things."

Several supported SpaceX's decision to let the Pentagon take over Starshield. The choice made sense, according to political and AI journalist Brian Krassentein. He concluded that the technology should not be turned over to a private corporation but sold to the Pentagon for their use. He continued by calling it ignorant to suggest otherwise.

Another user remarked that Starlink still governs Starshield. As a result, SpaceX, the current owner of Starlink, will continue to be free to select how it wishes to use the other Starlink products without interference from Starshield.

Only little is known about Starshield, but SpaceX has divulged some important details on its website. The company announced that the initiative will employ the same broadband technology as the company's Starlink satellite constellation, but it will be designed for use by the government, specifically the U.S. military and its allied agencies.

The project will be used for three main purposes: Earth observation, communications, and hosting "the most demanding customer payload missions," which might include various instrumentation and mission kinds. According to SpaceX, Starshield satellites can accommodate a wide range of payloads, giving operators special versatility.