As part of a novel US knowledge network aimed at enhancing space-based surveillance capabilities, SpaceX on Wednesday safely launched the first set of functional spy satellites. This release is the first of many deployments that will occur this year.
At 4 am EDT on Wednesday, the Falcon 9 jet descended from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California.
Reports surfaced earlier this year that reports claimed that SpaceX and Northrop Grumman are building hundreds of satellites for the US National Reconnaissance Office ( NRO ) to build an extensive orbital system that could quickly identify ground targets almost anywhere on Earth.
The NRO claimed that this release marked” the first release of the NRO’s proliferated systems featuring responsive selection and quick data delivery.”
Also, the NRO has plans for about six launches in 2024 to support its spread structures, with more launches expected to continue through 2028. The precise number of satellites that were deployed during this goal was not made public, though.
The creation of this telescope system highlights Elon Musk’s increasing reliance on SpaceX for some of its operations for the US government.
With its Starlink system, SpaceX has not only dominated the US rocket launch business but also has grown to be the largest satellite operator on the planet.
