A classified network of SpaceX satellites is emitting a mysterious signal, potentially violating international standards and causing radio interference. The Starshield satellite constellation, launched by SpaceX, is transmitting data on frequencies typically used for uplinking, not downlinking. This unusual behavior has sparked concern among experts and amateur satellite trackers alike. Scott Tilley, a Canadian amateur satellite tracker, first spotted the signals and warns of potential interference with other satellites. Kevin Gifford, a computer science professor, agrees that radio interference is a possibility, but the extent of disruption remains uncertain.
The discovery was made by accident when Tilley, while monitoring satellites as a hobby, triggered a scan of radio frequencies that are usually quiet. He found a signal in a band reserved for uplinking data, which shouldn't have been present. Tilley's keen eye noticed the unusual signal and compared it to a catalog of observations by other amateur trackers. The signal was identified as Starshield, a classified version of SpaceX's Starlink satellites.
The U.S. has reportedly paid over $1.8 billion for the Starshield network, which conducts Earth observation and communications missions. The National Reconnaissance Office has launched 11 Starshield satellites since May 2024, as part of its 'proliferated system' to enhance military earth observations and communications. However, the purpose of the satellite constellation's downlinking signal remains unclear.
Tilley suggests that the decision to downlink in a typically uplink band could be a strategic move to conceal Starshield's operations, as the frequent shift in specific frequencies makes it difficult for outsiders to detect the signal. Gifford, on the other hand, believes SpaceX might be taking advantage of a quiet part of the radio spectrum, as uplink transmissions are usually rare and brief.
Despite the potential for interference, Gifford notes that significant disruptions are unlikely, as no other satellite operators have complained. Tilley, however, believes the world's satellite operators should be aware of the situation, as these classified orbits could disturb legitimate space uses. The mystery surrounding Starshield's signal continues, leaving experts and the public alike awaiting further clarification.
