SpaceX has reached an agreement with the U.S. Space Force that allows the company to use the Pentagon’s most detailed classified data on objects in space, Breaking Defense reported. The arrangement also gives the military access to tracking information gathered through SpaceX’s Starlink network.
Under the deal, SpaceX is providing data from Stargaze, a system that relies on about 30,000 cameras mounted on Starlink satellites to monitor activity in low Earth orbit. In exchange, the company can use classified U.S. government tracking data to refine its assessment of possible orbital collisions involving its Starlink and Starshield spacecraft.
SpaceX operates roughly 11,000 Starlink and Starshield satellites. The company says its fleet carries out around 20,000 orbital adjustments each day, with about 1,000 of those maneuvers related to collision avoidance.
The agreement limits SpaceX’s use of the Pentagon information to internal purposes and bars the company from applying it for commercial benefit.
Jon Herman, senior director for Starlink at SpaceX, told Breaking Defense that Starlink satellites have limitations in detecting smaller objects, making radar information a valuable addition to Stargaze.
SpaceX’s share price edged up 0.3% in after-hours trading to $148.77 after falling 4.11% on Wednesday.
