China’s People’s Liberation Army says U.S. is militarizing space with Elon Musk’s new spy satellite

Entrepreneur Space’s StarShield unit is reportedly developing a constellation of hundreds of low-Earth orbit satellites that would allow the U.S. government and military to quickly detect potential targets almost anywhere around the world.

According to Reuters, Starshield signed a confidential $1.8 billion contract in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office, the Washington intelligence agency that manages spy satellites.

In the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, advanced satellite networks and communications provided military advantages and opened up a new arena for U.S.-China technological competition.

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The commentary stated that the planned Star Shield network will not only upgrade the secure communication capabilities of the Starlink satellite network system, but also further expand its earth observation and payload capabilities.

Satellites in low Earth orbits at 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) or less provide better signals and shorter delays. Payloads such as transponders, imaging sensors and space environment monitors can be attached to these satellites.

The review stated that plans to use Star Shield for such military purposes also pose a huge challenge to the security of information and space assets of other countries.

In recent regional military conflicts, the United States relies on its space military capabilities to provide information support through non-combat means and intervene in other countries.

Such actions pose huge challenges to maintaining regional peace and stability.

SpaceX has been providing Starlink satellite network services to Ukraine since the early days of the war. Starting in June 2023, the cost will be borne by Washington.

In February this year, Starlink also received a license to operate in Israel and parts of the Gaza Strip.

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China is also striving to launch satellites into extremely low Earth orbits below 300 kilometers, which are cheaper and can provide higher-resolution images. But because such devices are closer to Earth, more satellites are needed to cover a specific area, making the network more complex.

Its mission is to oversee the Army’s Space Force and coordinate the use of emerging civilian innovations in future intelligence warfare.