Elon Musk says he doesn't control Starshield restrictions. How is this network different from Starlink?

Who controls restrictions on Elon Musk’s satellite internet?

Earlier, Mikhail Fedorov reported on the resumption of Starlink operations at speeds up to 160 km/h, which allowed strike drones and interceptor drones to perform tasks again, and called for the complete removal of speed limits for Starshield.

In response , Elon Musk separated the commercial network from the military one. According to him, the Starshield systems are subordinate to Washington, and key decisions on the parameters of their operation are made by the White House. At the same time, Musk emphasized that the commercial Starlink is intended exclusively for civilian and defense needs and cannot be used for offensive military operations.

Before that, the Ukrainian military encountered communication failures while driving at speeds above 60–70 km/h, as well as with a limit of 160 km/h at night, which led to the disruption of a number of combat missions during the period of intensive attacks from Russia.

Starshield vs. Starlink. What’s the difference?

Starshield is a specialized satellite platform and division of SpaceX, designed to meet national security and government needs, based on the proven technology of the commercial Starlink network. Unlike the civilian service, this platform is equipped with target tracking, optical and radio reconnaissance, as well as early warning of missile threats.

The system’s activities are based on three key areas: Earth observation by launching satellites with sensor modules and direct data transmission, providing guaranteed global communications through special equipment, and creating satellite platforms to support the most demanding government missions.

The main differences between the projects are in the levels of security, scalability, and control. Commercial Starlink uses industry-standard end-to-end encryption and is available in over 160 countries with prices starting at $55 per month. In contrast, Starshield’s data security is supported by high-strength cryptographic capabilities, allowing it to safely host sensitive payloads and process information in accordance with strict government requirements.

Thanks to the modular design, Starshield satellites are able to integrate a wide range of different equipment, which provides versatility for various tasks. It is also planned to integrate unique laser terminals for inter-satellite communication with partner devices to unite them into a single network.

With its own infrastructure and launch vehicles, SpaceX can accelerate the deployment of the Starshield network. The use of low Earth orbit reduces signal latency, and existing contracts with the Pentagon ensure the integration of the systems with current US military needs.

History of creation, military customers and scandals

The main customers and operators of Starshield devices are the Space Development Agency (SDA), the National Space Research Organization (NRO), and the US Space Force. The history of the program’s development is based on large secret contracts. Back in 2021, SpaceX signed a classified deal for $ 1.8 billion to create a large-scale constellation of spy satellites designed for continuous global surveillance. As part of this project, SpaceX is collaborating with defense giant Northrop Grumman.

In October 2020, the Space Development Agency awarded the company a contract to develop satellites to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles, the first batch of which was launched into orbit in April 2023. Subsequently, in September 2023, an agreement was signed with the US Space Force to provide customized satellite communications services to the military as part of the long-term Enhanced Low-Earth Communications program.

The program is also accompanied by an active personnel policy involving experienced military specialists. In particular, a senior position in the company’s special programs group is held by former four-star general Terrence O’Shaughnessy.

Starshield’s activities have repeatedly been at the center of political debate. Among the high-profile topics are inquiries by the US Congress regarding the availability of communications in critical regions such as Taiwan, the detection of unusual radio signals, as well as public statements by Elon Musk regarding the use of the system in Ukraine.

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