United States operational
SpaceX Starshield
SpaceX Starshield is SpaceX's national security and defense satellite services division, established in 2022, offering Starlink-derived satellite capabilities hardened and adapted for US government and allied military use.
- Founded
- 2022
- Headquarters
- Hawthorne, United States
- Ownership
- Private
Quick Facts
About SpaceX Starshield
SpaceX Starshield is SpaceX's national security and defense satellite services division, established in 2022, offering Starlink-derived satellite capabilities hardened and adapted for US government and allied military use. Starshield includes: secure inter-satellite and satellite-to-ground communications with end-to-end encryption meeting government standards; a hosted payload capability allowing DoD sensor packages (EO cameras, SIGINT, etc.) to ride on SpaceX satellites; and earth observation services.
SpaceX won the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 contract to build tracking layer satellites for missile warning (HBTSS — Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor) under the Starshield umbrella. Starshield's significance is that it integrates SpaceX's cost-efficient proliferated LEO architecture into US national security space infrastructure, offering capability at lower cost and higher satellite volume than traditional defense satellite programs built by primes like Northrop and Raytheon.
Signals
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-05
Categories & Capabilities
Industry Categories
Location
Loading map...
Share
Suggest an Edit
Is this information outdated or incorrect? Help us improve this profile.
Submit CorrectionExplore More
Discover 1,000+ space companies worldwide
Similar Companies
Other companies in defense
BlackSky
BlackSky is a real-time space-based intelligence company operating one of the most advanced commercial Earth observation...
HawkEye 360
HawkEye 360 listed on the New York Stock Exchange as HAWK on 7 May 2026, raising about $437.5 million net at $26 a share...
Lockheed Martin Space
Lockheed Martin Space is a business segment of Lockheed Martin Corporation, one of the world's largest defense and aeros...
Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company pioneering secure, reliable satellite connectivity for consumers, businesses, ...
Raytheon Missiles & Defense
Raytheon Missiles & Defense (RM&D) is an RTX (Raytheon Technologies) division headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, and one ...
RTX Ventures
RTX Ventures is the venture capital arm of RTX, a leading technology and aerospace company established in 2022 and based...
Also in United States
Other space companies based in United States
Frequently asked about SpaceX Starshield
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was SpaceX Starshield founded?
- SpaceX Starshield was founded in 2022 in United States.
- Where is SpaceX Starshield headquartered?
- SpaceX Starshield is headquartered in Hawthorne, United States.
- What does SpaceX Starshield do?
- SpaceX Starshield is SpaceX's national security and defense satellite services division, established in 2022, offering Starlink-derived satellite capabilities hardened and adapted for US government and allied military use. Starshield includes: secure inter-satellite and satellite-to-ground communications with end-to-en…
- Is SpaceX Starshield a public or private company?
- SpaceX Starshield is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
- What sector does SpaceX Starshield operate in?
- SpaceX Starshield works in defense, Satellite operators and Hypersonics.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about SpaceX Starshield is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.