[Bratch]

[Bratch]

Elon Musk Completes $44 Billion Deal to Own Twitter

The world’s richest man closed his blockbuster purchase of the social media service,
thrusting Twitter into a new era.

[nuconvert]

So, be able to spot balloons

[Openurmind]

Here is the deal... He already has it in place with Starlink. and he has already handed them the keys. The DoD squeezed him to do this over a year ago, now all the agencies are sharing access.

They are already doing this...

[Chad C. Mulligan]

He's in the rocket-launching business, for God's sake! And his company is the best and cheapest there is. Of course the government will hire him to launch their satellites!

[linMcHlp]

China to launch 26,000 satellites, vying with U.S. for space power - January 10, 2024

[Rennes Templar]

Is anyone concerned this could be used on civilians, ie patriots, should civil war erupt?

[Pollard]

If successful, the sources said the program would significantly advance the ability of the U.S. government and military to quickly spot potential targets almost anywhere on the globe.

a powerful new spy system with hundreds of satellites bearing Earth-imaging capabilities that can operate as a swarm in low orbits

Almost anywhere in the globe -- "ability of the U.S. government ... to quickly spot potential targets"

With the commies in office, where do you suppose it will be used?

[USAF1985]

Just an observation. Elon Musk provides launch services to the federal government. He does not build the satellites (Starlink exception here). He also signed contracts to launch GPS satellites, but that doesn’t mean he’s building a NAV constellation.

[Qwapisking]

add some AI and a few AI controlled manufacturing facilities and you get SKYNET! in a few short years(if that) life on planet Earth will genuinely become very interesting.

[PIF]

SpaceX’s Starshield
https://www.spacex.com/starshield/

Earth Observation
Starshield launches satellites with sensing payloads and delivers processed data directly to the user.

Communications
Starshield provides assured global communications to government users with Starshield user equipment.

Hosted payloads
Starshield builds satellite buses to support the most demanding customer payload missions.

Security
Starlink already offers unparalleled end-to-end user data encryption. Starshield uses additional high-assurance cryptographic capability to host classified payloads and process data securely, meeting the most demanding government requirement

Modular Design
Designed to meet diverse mission requirements, Starshield satellites are capable of integrating a wide variety of payloads, offering unique versatility to users.

Interoperability
Starlink’s inter-satellite laser communications terminal, which is the only communications laser operating at scale in orbit today, can be integrated onto partner satellites to enable incorporation into the Starshield network

Rapid Development and Deployment
With the proven ability to iterate rapidly, SpaceX’s unique full-stack approach in developing end-to-end systems, from launch vehicles to user terminals, enables the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed.

[ Not mentioned is the date on which it will become self-aware ... ]

[butlerweave]

How long before the U.S. Intelligence Agency sells it to the Chinese Communist Party ?

[markman46]

WOW sundance gets is all wrong, a launch contract is not building the NRO sats, big difference, Boeing has had a NRO launch contract for decades..