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Key Takeaways
- SpaceX recently announced Starshield services for government use.
- Starshield builds on the success of Starlink, which is designed to provide internet services via satellites.
- Starshield is intended to support national security, but details on how the government may use the service are limited.
As technology advances, satellites are regularly launched into the Earth’s orbit. SpaceX is one of the major players in the rapidly evolving private space exploration landscape.
The company recently announced its intention to give government agencies access to Starshield capabilities. Let’s explore what Starshield is and what it might mean for the future of SpaceX.
SpaceX adds Starshield
SpaceX recently added Starshield as a tab on its website. Although the company has yet to make an official statement about Starshield to the public, the website is clear that this new satellite network is designed with the government in mind.
The tagline for Starsheild is “supporting national security.” With that, it’s not a leap to suggest that the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, is looking to capture defense contract business with this new service.
What Is Starshield?
According to the SpaceX website, Starsheild “leverages SpaceX’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts.”
The three major selling points of Starshield include:
- Earth observations: The service launches satellites with sensors that can deliver data directly to users.
- Communications: Starshield provides global communication abilities to government users.
- Hosted payloads: The service has extensive satellite capabilities to support payload missions.
Starshield also promises “the deployment of capabilities at scale with unprecedented speed.”
It’s clear that the intended user of Starshield is the government. Since the Department of Defense is already a big customer of SpaceX, this new service might expand the relationship.
Of course, snagging a defense contract will be helpful for SpaceX’s bottom line.
Starshield vs. Starlink
Starlink uses SpaceX’s extensive collection of satellites to provide access to high-speed internet anywhere on the planet. It was designed for personal and commercial use.
In contrast, Starshield is specifically designed for government use.
According to SpaceX, “Starlink already offers unparalleled end-to-end user data encryption.” Although this level of encryption is top-notch for the average user, the Department of Defense requires additional security.
As a result, Starshield offers additional security measures to protect government interests. This includes “high-assurance cryptographic capability” that will fulfill the government’s demands.
As a consumer looking for internet service in remote locations, Starlink will cover your needs. But the increased security measures surrounding Starshield align with what the Department of Defense needs for its operations.
Starlink in action
Starlink includes a network of more than 3,200 communication satellites. The network provides access to broadband internet across the globe.
The Ukrainian military has relied on Starlink’s network for reliable communications as the country fends off Russian attacks. While SpaceX initially provided this service for free, Musk announced in October that the company would no longer continue the free service.
After that announcement, SpaceX sent a letter to the Pentagon to ask for funding to cover the cost of the Starlink terminals.
The arrival of Starshield comes just a few months after the funding issues with Starlink in Ukraine hit the headlines.
SpaceX: Can you invest?
SpaceX’s new service offering, Starshield, might pique your interest in investing in this company. However, the privately held company is not publicly traded. Consequently, you can’t buy stock as you would with a publicly traded company.
If you want to invest in a piece of Elon Musk’s empire, he is also the CEO of Tesla, a publicly-traded company best known for its electric vehicles.
How to invest in emerging technology
As companies like SpaceX push the boundaries of technology, it’s exciting to watch. The complicated technology that makes Starlink and Starshield possible might be a bit over our heads, but we can all see the potential for investment returns in advancing technology.
Innovations in technology are constantly transforming the world we live in. Savvy investors know that investing in the right technologies can make a major difference in their portfolios. Although you can’t invest in SpaceX, you can still invest in other emerging technologies.
One challenge investors face when trying to incorporate emerging technologies into their portfolios is the constantly changing tech landscape. Breakthroughs happen regularly, and staying on top of all the changes can be difficult.
If you don’t constantly monitor the tech industry, you don’t have to. Instead, you can enlist the help of artificial intelligence (AI) to track the industry and make changes to your portfolio. You can relax knowing that AI works around the clock to ensure your investment portfolio stays aligned with your financial goals.
Q.ai’s Emerging Tech Kit might be a good fit for investors interested in new technology. Of course, this portfolio only includes publicly traded companies. That said, your portfolio will include many companies making headway in the tech space.
Better still, you can activate Portfolio Protection at any time to protect your gains and reduce your losses, no matter what industry you invest in.
Bottom Line
As SpaceX launches Starshield, these services are intended for government use. The Pentagon is likely considering Starshield as an option for some of their communication needs.
As an average customer, Starlink is perfectly sufficient for all of your internet needs. However, Starshield will be worth watching to see how it impacts national security efforts.
Download Q.ai today for access to AI-powered investment strategies. When you deposit $100, we’ll add an additional $100 to your account.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/qai/2022/12/09/elon-musks-spacex-looks-to-capture-defense-contractor-business-with-new-starshield/