What is Starshield? A look at SpaceX's military satellite network
SpaceX is building and operating two satellite networks at the moment, Starlink and Starshield. What’s the difference between the two, and who uses them?
SpaceX operates two satellite networks: Starlink and Starshield. While Starlink is a commercial internet service, Starshield focuses on serving national security customers. Starshield uses the same satellite buses as Starlink but includes additional hardware for enhanced capabilities. The network is operated by SpaceX under contract with the U.S. government, but the exact division of control between SpaceX and the government is unclear.
Starshield is used for Earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads, with some satellites potentially carrying intelligence and surveillance sensors. The network's interoperability allows Starshield satellites to use the Starlink network when necessary. The U.S. government is the primary customer, but SpaceX also serves as the owner and contractor for the system.
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