SpaceX Signs First $70 Million Contract To Provide Starshield Satellite Internet Services To The US Space Force
The American company SpaceX, owned by businessman Elon Musk, has signed its first contract with the US Space Force to provide satellite communications to the military using the Starshield system.
Space Exploration Technologies is competing with 15 companies, including Viasat Inc., for $900 million in service contracts through 2028 under the U.S. Space Force’s new Advanced Low Earth Orbit program. This program involves the use of communications satellites in orbit at an altitude of 100 to 1,000 miles (160 to 1,600 km) above the Earth to provide the US Army with communications.
According to US Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek, SpaceX’s one-year contract to provide Starshield services was awarded on September 1. The contract, with a maximum value of $70 million, provides for end-to-end service to Starshield through the Starlink constellation, the provision of user terminals and auxiliary equipment, network management and other related services.
SpaceX announced Starshield late last year. The company said the military version of Starlink meets more stringent data transmission security requirements. This was achieved by introducing additional highly reliable cryptographic capabilities.
