Spacex is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a #classified contract w/a US intelligence agency, 5 sources familiar w/the program said, demonstrating deepening ties between billionaire entrepreneur #ElonMusk's space company & #NationalSecurity agencies.
The network is being built by #SpaceX's #Starshield business unit under a $1.8B contract signed in 2021 w/the National Reconnaissance Office (#NRO), an #intelligence agency that manages #SpySatellites, the sources said.
The plans show the extent of SpaceX's involvement in #UnitedStates intelligence & #military projects & illustrate a deeper #Pentagon investment into vast, low-Earth orbiting #satellite systems aimed at supporting ground forces.
Elon Musk violates Pentagon contract by denying SpaceX #Starshield internet to US troops in Taiwan:
“Tesla’s success hinges on favorable business relations with China, which has led Musk to cultivate cozy relations with the country, despite its broader tensions with the U.S.”
"#Taiwan continues to be wary of Musk’s deep business ties with #China and irked by his pro-Beijing comments. About 20% of #Tesla’s revenue comes from China, and more than half of its vehicles were built at its Shanghai gigafactory in 2022. When #Musk said last September that Taiwan was an 'integral part of China', Taiwanese foreign minister Joseph Wu publicly rebuked him...[:] '…Taiwan is not part of the PRC & certainly not for sale!'” https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidjeans/2024/02/24/elon-musk-taiwan-spacex-starshield/#StarShield#StarLink#SpaceX