The Starshield constellation was caught using an unauthorized frequency to send data to Earth.
SpaceX may be guilty of violating regulatory standards by using a classified network of satellites to transmit data to Earth on radio frequencies reserved for uplinking signals, according to a citizen scientist who tracks satellites in Earth orbit.
Scott Tilley, an amateur satellite tracker in Canada, accidentally detected space-to-Earth emissions on a radio frequency band reserved for transmitting data from Earth to space, NPR first. The signals were traced to SpaceX’s Starshield, an encrypted version of the Starlink satellites used for national security efforts. Using an unauthorized frequency to downlink data to Earth violates radio regulations set by the International Telecommunications Union and could potentially interfere with other satellites’ ability to receive signals from Earth, according to aSpaceX first revealed its Starshield constellation in 2022, which leverages the broadband technology of Starlink for use by government agencies. Starshield uses “additional high-assurance cryptographic capability to host classified payloads and process data securely, meeting the most demanding government requirements,” according to Starshield missions are contracted by U.S. government agencies such as the National Reconnaissance Office , the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Space Force. The NRO operates the government’s reconnaissance satellites, possibly using Starshield to carry classified payloads or data. Earlier in September, the NROAlthough there’s little information shared about Starshield, Tilley was able to detect signals from 170 satellites in the 2025 to 2110 MHz range. This specific band of the radio spectrum is reserved for uplinking data from Earth to orbiting satellites and therefore should not have any signals going the other way round. “Nearby satellites could receive radio-frequency interference and could perhaps not respond properly to commands—or ignore commands—from Earth,” Tilley told NPR. The satellite enthusiast added that SpaceX may have used the prohibited frequency band to conceal the operations of its Starshield constellation, making the signal more difficult to identify. Because the ITU doesn’t impose fines for regulatory violations, SpaceX will likely face no consequences for using an unauthorized frequency band or for potentially interfering with other satellite signals. The company is known for pushing regulatory boundaries to further its position as a leader in the industry.11:57 amHP’s Latest Ryzen 5 Laptop Launched More Expensive Than a MacBook, but Now It’s 65% Off and Way CheaperSomething Weird Is Happening to Earth’s Magnetic FieldWatch Live: SpaceX Launches Starship on its Most Ambitious Test Flight Yet If this launch goes according to plan, SpaceX plans to roll out a new iteration of the megarocket in early 2026.This New Report Shows Why NASA’s Dependence on Companies Like SpaceX Isn’t Always Such a Great Idea The space agency doesn't seem to save any money by outsourcing its missions to private companies, according to the analysis.Elon Musk’s SpaceX Is Taking More Control of the Texas Coastline Ahead of Starship’s Next Launch
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SpaceX launches 28 Starlink satellites to orbit on 130th Falcon 9 flight of the yearMichael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with Space.com and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, 'Out There,' was published on Nov. 13, 2018.
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A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signalAn amateur satellite tracker stumbled across the signal which is coming from Starshield satellites in a 'hidden' part of the radio spectrum.
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A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signalAn amateur satellite tracker stumbled across the signal which is coming from Starshield satellites in a 'hidden' part of the radio spectrum.
Read more »