Did I miss it, do we know what launch vehicle will take StarShield up? I assume Falcon 9, but knowing SpaceX, I would expect them to try and upsell a StarShield V2 that can only be launched on Starship to help ease the US Government into depending on the project.
So far the 4 launches most likely to include Starshield satellites have all used Falcon 9. However, SpaceX contract for launch services, with a provision to substitute an alternate launch vehicle at their discretion. So, as you suggest, Starshield will likely transfer onto Starship at some point to put it on the map.
By way of an apendix, here's the Starshield development timeline: -
November 2018: SpaceX begin to hire “engineers familiar with integrating third-party payloads onto in-house satellite buses, with Top Secret security clearances.”
July 2022: The Aerospace Corp launch Slingshot-1, a satellite designed to test modular payloads, laser communications and their “Starshield onboard malware detection software.”
Did I miss it, do we know what launch vehicle will take StarShield up? I assume Falcon 9, but knowing SpaceX, I would expect them to try and upsell a StarShield V2 that can only be launched on Starship to help ease the US Government into depending on the project.
So far the 4 launches most likely to include Starshield satellites have all used Falcon 9. However, SpaceX contract for launch services, with a provision to substitute an alternate launch vehicle at their discretion. So, as you suggest, Starshield will likely transfer onto Starship at some point to put it on the map.
By way of an apendix, here's the Starshield development timeline: -
November 2018: SpaceX begin to hire “engineers familiar with integrating third-party payloads onto in-house satellite buses, with Top Secret security clearances.”
https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-satellite-constellation-construction-interest-us-military/
January - June 2022: SpaceX launch prototype Starshield satellites to test operational capabilities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Starlink_and_Starshield_launches#Starshield
July 2022: The Aerospace Corp launch Slingshot-1, a satellite designed to test modular payloads, laser communications and their “Starshield onboard malware detection software.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0qQ76Fp1Os
December 2022: SpaceX announce they are building Starshield, a “secured satellite network for government entities.”
https://spacenews.com/spacex-rolls-out-new-business-line-focused-on-military-satellite-services/
September 2023: Space Force purchase Starshield satellite services.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/27/spacex-wins-first-pentagon-contract-for-starshield.html
Chris, did you read the wiki page?
Yeah Elon thinks he can help America win at nuclear war.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX_Starshield