Musk's SpaceX now gets into the spy game
Business Standard|November 01, 2024
Pentagon needs what the firm offers to compete with China even as it frets over its potential for dominance, billionaire's global interests
ERIC LIPTON
Musk's SpaceX now gets into the spy game

The breakthrough came last month, about 600 miles above Earth. For the first time, the Pentagon's Space Development Agency used lasers to more securely transmit data at light speed between military satellites, making it easier to track enemy missiles and if necessary shoot them down.

It was a milestone not only for the Pentagon. This was a defining moment for a certain up-and-coming military contractor that had built key parts of this new system: Elon Musk's SpaceX.

SpaceX over the last year started to move in a big way into the business of building military and spy satellites, an industry that has long been dominated by contractors like Raytheon and Northrop Grumman as well as smaller players like York Space Systems.

This shift comes as the Pentagon and US spy agencies are preparing to spend billions of dollars to build a series of new constellations of low-earth-orbit satellites, much of it in response to recent moves by China to build its own space-based military systems.

SpaceX is poised to capitalize on that, generating a new wave of questions inside the federal government about the company's growing dominance as a military space contractor and Musk's extensive business operations in China and his relations with foreign government leaders, possibly including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Musk is also unpredictable in a sector in which security is often perceived to be synonymous with predictability. He chafes at many of the processes of government, saying they hold back progress, and wants to make his own calls.

Bu hikaye Business Standard dergisinin November 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Business Standard dergisinin November 01, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BUSINESS STANDARD DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Business Standard

India may become global leader in 5G FWA mkt by 2027

India is expected to become the world's largest 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) market by 2027 with over 30 million subscribers and overtake the US, the current global leader with 15 million subscribers, according to Counterpoint Research.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
Crypto or not: Industry to focus on user protection, licensing regime
Business Standard

Crypto or not: Industry to focus on user protection, licensing regime

A consultation paper on the crypto sector is expected to suggest clarity on regulations after WazirX breach, says CoinSwitch co-founder

time-read
2 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Pant, Iyers knock it out of the park
Business Standard

Pant, Iyers knock it out of the park

IPL Mega Auction: Star wicket-keeper most expensive player at ₹27 cr; Shreyas, Venkatesh bag hefty pay cheques

time-read
2 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Eastern states are country's growth engine, says Modi
Business Standard

Eastern states are country's growth engine, says Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday that his government considers India's eastern region as the country's growth engine, while the area was considered backward earlier.

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
The other side of financialisation
Business Standard

The other side of financialisation

There's been a dramatic rise in loans against gold in the past one year, but growth in unsecured loans is slowing. Bank loans to the NBFC sector have also dipped

time-read
4 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Demand for super top-up health insurance plans rises after Covid
Business Standard

Demand for super top-up health insurance plans rises after Covid

Demand for super top-up plans in health insurance has increased significantly post the Covid-19 pandemic, owing to a rise in medical costs and increased insurance awareness in the country, industry insiders have said.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Countdown to Feb 1 begins
Business Standard

Countdown to Feb 1 begins

FY26 Budget will come only six months after the last one, but has all the signs of becoming a hallmark document

time-read
4 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Greening AI for sustainable computing
Business Standard

Greening AI for sustainable computing

Technologies are providing solutions to many business and social problems. However, the solution itself is becoming a problem for climate action.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Agentic AI: The next frontier
Business Standard

Agentic AI: The next frontier

A new iteration of AI is now taking the world by surprise. Agentic AI can take its own decisions. ARYAMAN GUPTA & SHIVANI SHINDE report

time-read
3 dak  |
November 25, 2024
Visit developer's past projects to evaluate service standards
Business Standard

Visit developer's past projects to evaluate service standards

Renting temporarily can be useful to assess suitability before committing to purchase

time-read
3 dak  |
November 25, 2024