SKY HIGH: Inside SpaceX’s plans to build network of spy satellites as US Space Force looks to take on Chinese ‘kill web’

SPACEX is reportedly building a fleet of spy satellites, with defence giant Northrop Grumman, as part of a secret deal with a US intelligence agency.

It follows comments made by a top Space Force commander earlier this month regarding China’s monster network of tracking satellites.

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These satellites are believed to be monitoring western military operations on the ground – capabilities the US wants to match.

China’s rapid advancement in space has pushed Space Force to start work on its first-ever military exercise off-planet, to test how it might fend off “on-orbit aggression” from adversaries.

According to Reuters, SpaceX is building hundreds of spy satellites under its Starshield division as part of a $1.8billion classified contract.

Multiple contractors are being used alongside SpaceX.

This is so the unnamed US intelligence agency can avoid a scenario where one company – and one boss – has access to a large amount of highly sensitive information regarding the top-secret programme.

“It is in the government’s interest to not be totally invested in one company run by one person,” one of the news agency’s sources said, most likely referring to SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

Northrop – one of the biggest defence suppliers in the world – will provide sensors for at least 50 of the satellites in the constellation.

All spy satellites are to be tested at Northrop’s facility prior to their launch into orbit, Reuters reported.

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