Classified Contracts Underscore SpaceX’s Deepening Ties With US National Security Agencies

SpaceX has developed into a major contractor supporting U.S. military and intelligence agencies, demonstrating the need of national security organizations for commercial partners that could quickly develop and launch classified satellites.

The Elon Musk-founded rocket company received a potential $1.8 billion classified contract from the U.S. government in 2021, according to documents viewed by WSJ.

In 2023, SpaceX secured a potential $70 million contract from the U.S. Space Force to use its new satellite network, called Starshield, to provide high-speed broadband, alternative positioning, navigation and timing and space domain awareness support for the service branch, underscoring the California-based launch services provider’s deepening ties with the U.S. military.

According to the report, SpaceX’s Starshield unit has Terrence O’Shaughnessy, a retired U.S. Air Force general, in its leadership team and has been seeking professionals with top-secret clearances and experience working with the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense.

The National Reconnaissance Office has become one of the national security clients of SpaceX, counting on the contractor to provide satellite technologies in support of its mission.

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