User:J.pshine5t/Starshield and military use of Starlink

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https://chrisprophet.substack.com/p/starshield-spacexs-dark-horse

https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-satellite-constellation-construction-interest-us-military/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0qQ76Fp1Os&ab_channel=TheAerospaceCorporation

The Aerospace Corp launch Slingshot-1, a satellite designed to test modular payloads, laser communications and their “Starshield onboard malware detection software.”

https://spacenews.com/spacex-rolls-out-new-business-line-focused-on-military-satellite-services/

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/27/spacex-wins-first-pentagon-contract-for-starshield.html


Starlink, the extensive satellite communication network operated by the American aerospace firm SpaceX, garnered military attention and found application in Ukraine. Ukraine has used Starlink for military purposes in the Russo-Ukrainian war. To separate Starlink commercial satellite operations from military usage, SpaceX agreed with the US Department of Defense to create Starshield, a military divison of Starlink specialized for military purposes.

Starshield[edit]

See also: List of Starlink and Starshield launches § Starshield

In December 2022, SpaceX announced Starshield, a program to incorporate military or government entity payloads on board a customized satellite bus (potentially based on Starlink Block v1.5 and v2.0 technology[1][better source needed]). These satellites are heavier, with twice the area as a single Starlink v1.5 and have two pair of solar arrays as opposed to one on Starlink Block v1.5.[2] While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for US government use, with an initial focus on three areas, namely, earth observation, communications and hosting payloads.

Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are advertised as capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users. Starshield satellites will be compatible with, and interconnect to, the existing commercial Starlink satellites via optical inter-satellite links.[3]

In January 2022, SpaceX deployed four national security satellites for the US government on their Transporter-3 rideshare mission.[4][5] In the same year they launched another group of four U.S. satellites with a single on-orbit spare Globalstar FM-15 satellite in June.[6][4][7][8] Their purpose was not disclosed at the time of launch, but was considered likely either technical demonstration, communications, earth observation or signals intelligence.

It is suspected as per the images,[9] that the two SpaceX-built Starlink derived Space Development Agency Tranche 0 Flight 1 Tracking Layer infrared imaging satellites launched on 2 April 2023 are also based on the Starshield satellite bus.[10][9]

In September 2023, the Starshield program received its first contract from the US Space Force to provide customized satellite communications for the military.[11] This is under the Space Force’s new "Proliferated Low Earth Orbit" contracts program for LEO satellites.[11]

History[edit]

In late 2022 SpaceX had already begun discussions with the Pentagon to fund Starlink for Ukraine.[12][13] These arrangements with government agencies led to the creation of Starshield.[14][15][16] This separate Starlink service is specially destined for government entities and military agencies, solving SpaceX's issues with using the Starlink civilian network as a weapon in Ukraine.[16][14][15][17] Starshield enables the DoD to own or lease Starshield satellites for partners and allies.[15] Starshield will also have the usual requirements for mobile military systems like encryptions and anti-jam capabilities for which Starlink was not necessarily adapted for in the Ukraine war.[14]

A contractual arrangement with SpaceX for Starlink in Ukraine, as well as Starshield, a separate military-focused version of Starlink, seem to have been the solutions chosen by the DoD and SpaceX against the restrictions.[18][19][20]

Senior defense officials at the Pentagon tried to solution the problem in several meetings but were not used to have no leverage on a private entity.[21] The Pentagon saw the solution in a contractual arrangement with SpaceX as the company would not be able to cease Starlink services in Ukraine on their own decision.[21]

In June 2023, the Department of Defense officialized the contract with Shotwell's SpaceX to buy Starlink satellite services for Ukraine.[22] The deal includes the Pentagon buying 400-500 Starlink terminals for Ukraine, giving the Pentagon control of where Starlink works inside the country without fear of interruption.[23] The terms of services of the final contract were undisclosed for security issues.[22] Following the contract, The Pentagon stated Starlink was a "vital layer in Ukraine's overall communications network" amidst "a range of global partners to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities they need."[24]

Starlink legal documents claim it is not for use in weaponry as a military use of Starlink brings it under US export control laws like the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).[25]

Military use of Starlink[edit]

Military satellites[edit]

Elon Musk and four-star general Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy in April 2019
Future Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering Michael D. Griffin meets with Elon Musk and Larry Williams, former VP of Teledesic in 2005.

SpaceX also designs, builds, and launches customized military satellites based on variants of the Starlink satellite bus, with the largest publicly known customer being the Space Development Agency (SDA).

In 2018 the SDA was formed as part of a Trump Administration effort to resurrect the Reagan-era Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).[26][27] SDA accelerates development of missile defense capabilities using industry-procured low-cost low Earth orbit satellite platforms.[28] The program was conceived and instituted by Under Secretary of Defense (R&E) Michael D. Griffin (who had decades earlier joined Musk on his trip to Russia to examine ICBMs as part of SpaceX's founding).[29] A few months after Space Development Agency was announced, SpaceX Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell was asked by the United States Air Force, given the nature of the program, whether SpaceX would launch weapons into space for the US military. She affirmed "we would if it's for the defense of this country."[30]

In October 2020, SDA awarded SpaceX an initial $150 million dual-use contract to develop 4 satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles.[31] The first batch of satellites were originally scheduled to launch September 2022 to form part of the Tracking Layer Tranche 0 of the Space Force's National Defense Space Architecture.[32] The launch schedule slipped multiple times but eventually launched in April 2023.[33][34]

The NDSA will be composed of seven layers with specific functions: data transport, battle management, missile tracking, custody/weapons targeting, satellite navigation, deterrence, and ground support.[35][36] Historically, space-based missile defense concepts were expensive, but reusable launch systems have mitigated costs according to a 2019 Congressional Budget Office analysis.[37] NSDA leverages existing commercial satellite bus development such as Starlink to reduce costs, including free-space optical laser terminals for a secure command and control mesh network.[38] The 2019 Missile Defense Review notes space-based sensing enables "improved tracking and potentially targeting of advanced threats, including HGVs and hypersonic cruise missiles".[39] However, the Union of Concerned Scientists warns developments could escalate tensions with Russia and China and called the project "fundamentally destabilizing".[40] The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace later advocated for a treaty halting development to prevent an arms race in space.[41]

Since 2021, Starlink's military satellite development is overseen internally at SpaceX by retired four-star general Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy.[42][43] O'Shaughnessy advocated before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services for a layered capability with lethal follow-on that incorporates machine learning and artificial intelligence to gather and act upon sensor data quickly.[44]

SpaceX was not awarded a contract for the larger Tranche 1, with awards going to York Space Systems, Lockheed Martin Space, and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.[45]

Military communications[edit]

In 2019, tests by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) demonstrated a 610 Mbit/s data link through Starlink to a Beechcraft C-12 Huron aircraft in flight.[46] Additionally, in late 2019, the United States Air Force successfully tested a connection with Starlink on an AC-130 Gunship.[47]

In 2020, the Air Force utilized Starlink in support of its Advanced Battlefield management system during a live-fire exercise. They demonstrated Starlink connected to a "variety of air and terrestrial assets" including the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.[48]

Expert on battlefield communications Thomas Wellington argues that Starlink signals, because they use narrow focused beams, are less vulnerable to interference and jamming by the enemy in wartime than satellites flying in higher orbits.[49]

Russo-Ukrainian War[edit]

Vitali Klitschko, Mayor of Kyiv, and his brother Wladimir Klitschko with Starlink terminals shipped to Kyiv during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
Main article: Starlink in the Russo-Ukrainian War

Starlink was activated at first during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after a request from the Ukrainian government.[50][51] Ukraine's military and government rapidly became dependent on Starlink to maintain Internet access.[52][53][54] Starlink is used by Ukraine for communication, such as keeping in touch with outside world and keeping the energy infrastructure working.[55][56]

The service is also notably used for warfare. Starlink is used for connecting combat drones, naval drones, artillery fire coordination systems and attacks on Russian positions.[57][54] SpaceX has expressed reservations about the offensive use of Starlink by Ukraine beyond military communications and restricted Starlink communication technology for military use on weapon systems.[58] SpaceX however kept most of the service online.[59][60] Its use in attacking Russian targets has been criticized by the Kremlin.[61]

Musk has warned that the service was costing $20 million per month, and a Ukrainian official estimated SpaceX's contributions as over $100 million.[56] In June 2023, the DoD signed a contract with SpaceX to finance Starlink use in Ukraine.[62][60]

International reactions[edit]

The intervention of Starlink in the Ukrainian War against Russian forces has put the satellite service at risk of not being allowed in the Russian market in the future.[63] The Russian military does not have access to a Starlink-like equivalent, giving the Ukrainian military an advantage.[64] Russia has warned that Western commercial satellites used to help Ukraine could become a legitimate target for a retaliatory strike, describing such use of these satellites as "provocative".[65][66]

Russia has tried to cut off and jam internet services in Ukraine, including attempts to block Starlink in the region.[67] Russian cyberattacks against Starlink appear to have been ineffective compared to other satellite services.[68][66] Reasons advanced include SpaceX's speed of response and Starlink engineers' ability to defeat Russian jamming.[68]

In August 2023, during Ukraine's counteroffensive, a Five Eyes report found that Russian hackers planted malwares designed to steal data to Starlink from the Android tablets of Ukrainian soldiers.[69] Ukrainian Security Services said to have blocked some of the hacking attempts and conceded Russians had captured tablets on the battlefield and planted malwares on them.[70] Also in May 2022, Chinese military researchers published an article in a peer-reviewed journal describing a strategy for destroying the Starlink constellation if they threaten national security.[71][72][73] The researchers specifically highlight concerns with reported Starlink military capabilities.

Launches[edit]

This section is an excerpt from List of Starlink and Starshield launches § Starshield.[edit]
Starshield launches[74]
No. Mission Name or Designation Sat. Ver. COSPAR ID Date and time,
UTC 		Launch site Orbit Satellites Outcome Customer
Altitude Orbital Inclination Deployed Working
– USA 312-313[75] v1.0 2020-101 19 December 2020
14:00:00 		KSC, LC-39A 540 km (340 mi)[76] 53° 2[77] 2 Success National Reconnaissance Office
Possibly launched on NROL-108 mission. Likely test Starshield satellites.[78]
1 USA 320-323 v1.5 2022-002 13 January 2022
15:25:38 		CCSFS, SLC-40 525 km (326 mi) 97.6° 4 1 Success Unknown US Government Agency
Likely test versions or operational Starshield satellites. Part of Transporter-3 (SmallSat Rideshare Mission 3).
2 USA 328-331 v1.5 2022-064 19 June 2022
04:27 		CCSFS, SLC-40 535 km (332 mi) 52° 4 4 Success Unknown US Government Agency
Likely test versions or operational Starshield satellites. Launched with Globalstar-2 FM-15 (M087) mission.
3 Tracking Layer (Tranche 0A) v1.5 2023-050 2 April 2023
14:29 		VSFB, SLC-4E 951 km (591 mi)[79] 80.99°[79] 2[80] 2 Success Space Development Agency
Likely operational Starshield satellites. Hosts infrared payloads manufactured by Leidos. Launched with 8 York Space Systems-built Transport layer satellites on this mission.[81][82]
4 Tracking Layer (Tranche 0B) v1.5 2023-133 2 September 2023
14:25 		VSFB, SLC-4E 951 km (591 mi)[79] 80.99° 2[80] 2 Success Space Development Agency
Likely operational Starshield satellites. Hosts infrared payloads manufactured by Leidos. Launched with one York Space Systems-built and 10 Lockheed Martin/Tyvak Space Systems-built Transport layer satellites on this mission.[82]
5 USA 350-351 v2.0 Mini 2024-050 19 March 2024, 02:28 VSFB, SLC-4E 525 km (326 mi) 53.05° 2 2 Success Unknown US Government Agency
Launched as a part of Starlink Group 7-16 mission.[83][84]
6 USA 354-3×× v2.0 Mini 18 May 2024 VSFB, SLC-4E TBA TBA TBA TBA Planned National Reconnaissance Office
Launching as a part of NROL-146 mission.[85]
7-11 USA v2.0 Mini 2024 TBA TBA TBA TBA TBA Planned National Reconnaissance Office
Launching as a part of NROL missions.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "USA 320, ..., 323, 328, ..., 331".
  2. ^ "Starshield: Supporting National Security". SpaceX. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
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  4. ^ a b "USA 320, ..., 323, 328, ..., 331".
  5. ^ "Musk's SpaceX wins Pentagon award for missile tracking satellites". Reuters. 5 October 2020.
  6. ^ Jonathan McDowell [@planet4589] (June 20, 2022). "Space-Track confirms the presence of four secret payloads on the Globalstar Falcon 9 launch - USA 328 to USA 331, catalog 52889 to 52892, orbital data not available. One piece of debris, probably a Starlink-style tension rod?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ @cgbassa (June 21, 2022). "The four classified satellites launched together with Globalstar FM15 on a Falcon 9 rocket yesterday have been detected in a ~535 km orbit at 53 deg inclination" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ "SpaceX launches Globalstar satellite on mysterious Falcon 9 mission". NASASpaceFlight.com. 18 June 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Tranche 0 flight 1's 2 tracking layer sats' matches the on-orbit images released on starshield page for Starshield sats". Twitter. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  10. ^ "Tracking Layer Tranche-0 WFOV 1, ..., 4".
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  51. ^ "@elonmusk while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand". Twitter. 26 February 2022.
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  78. ^ "The identification of the Electron payload 2024-053A as "USA 352" changes the balance of evidence on the Mar 19 Starlink Group 7-16 launch: it now seems likely that it DID carry two classified payloads, likely Starshield, to be designated USA 350 and USA 351 (59274/59275?)". X (Formerly Twitter).
  79. ^ "Space-Track have cataloged objects from the Mar 19 Starlink launch and it is now confirmed that two secret satellites were aboard, USA 350 and USA 351 (presumed Starshield sats) that are cataloged as 2024-050W and X (59274 and 59275)".
  80. ^ "NROL-146 Mission". Next Spaceflight.
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