Pentagon Eyes SpaceX for Key Role in Sensor-to-Shooter Network
▼ Summary
– The Trump administration plans to replace the Space Development Agency’s data relay satellites with a new network primarily using SpaceX’s Starlink, as per budget documents.
– The proposed $277 million “pLEO SATCOM” or “MILNET” program would replace the canceled satellites, supporting the Golden Dome missile defense shield.
– Lawmakers questioned the Pentagon’s secretive plan during a Senate hearing, with Gen. Chance Saltzman mentioning exploring commercial alternatives for low-Earth orbit constellations.
– The Space Development Agency’s satellites were designed to enhance missile tracking and data relay, complementing legacy geostationary satellites.
– US Space Force satellites played a key role in detecting Iranian missile launches toward Israel, enabling successful interceptions.
The Pentagon is reportedly shifting its satellite strategy, potentially replacing existing military data relay systems with a next-generation network leveraging SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. Budget documents reveal plans to cancel a Space Development Agency satellite program in favor of a classified alternative dubbed “pLEO SATCOM” or “MILNET,” backed by $277 million in proposed funding.
This unexpected pivot has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers during recent Senate hearings on Space Force funding. While specifics remain undisclosed, the initiative appears designed to support missile defense systems like the proposed Golden Dome shield while exploring commercial satellite alternatives. General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, emphasized the need to evaluate scalable solutions for future military data transport needs.
For years, the Space Development Agency focused on deploying resilient missile-tracking satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO) to complement the Pentagon’s aging geostationary satellites. These high-altitude assets, stationed over 20,000 miles above Earth, detect missile launches via thermal signatures and have proven vital in recent conflicts, including intercepting Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel.
The new proliferated LEO network could enhance real-time threat detection and response, though questions linger about its reliance on commercial providers like SpaceX. If approved, the program would mark a significant departure from traditional military satellite procurement, prioritizing agility and cost efficiency over bespoke government systems.
As discussions continue, defense officials stress the importance of adaptable space architectures to counter emerging threats. The outcome could reshape how the Pentagon manages critical sensor-to-shooter data links in an increasingly contested orbital environment.
(Source: Ars Technica)
