How Does Starshield Work and Who Controls It?

Next came Starshield, a project SpaceX described as a secure system for government customers designed specifically for national security applications. Early funding came from the National Reconnaissance Office, a U.S. spy agency, and many of the satellite network’s capabilities are still secret. SpaceX has so far launched about 200 Starshield satellites, compared with more than 10,000 Starlink satellites.

Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers still use off-the-shelf Starlink kits to stay connected. The satellite links provide broadband connections on the battlefield, subject to some restrictions. A velocity cap prevents their integration into missiles and fast-moving drones.

Some Ukrainian forces also use satellite connections under the Starshield brand. Most of the Pentagon-funded links still route data through Starlink’s satellites. The difference: more security features with fewer restrictions on offensive wartime use.

Links from SpaceX’s thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites are hard to jam and allow Ukrainian forces to control drones over enemy territory. Russian forces have also used black-market Starlink terminals to attack Ukrainian cities. SpaceX curbed unauthorized access to the Starlink network inside Ukraine after appeals from Kyiv.

A Ukrainian official this week said that SpaceX imposed speed limits on Starshield-equipped weaponry, disrupting some operations. Kyiv had been relying on the more capable high-speed capabilities to control midrange attack drones and help intercept Russian attacks. The restrictions were lifted Thursday. It was unclear why they were imposed in the first place.

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