SpaceX's Starshield Satellites Encounter Signal Issues Amid US Coordination Challenges

About 170 Starshield satellites built by SpaceX for the US government's National Reconnaissance Office are reportedly sending signals in the wrong direction, according to a satellite researcher. These satellites, designed to enhance the NRO's surveillance capabilities, have been emitting signals that may interfere with existing satellite communications.

The signals are being transmitted in a frequency band internationally allocated for Earth-to-space and space-to-space communications. Scott Tilley, an engineering technologist and amateur radio astronomer, discovered the issue while working on another project in late September or early October.

He confirmed that these signals were being sent from the Starshield satellites over Canada, the United States, and Mexico, with an implication that they might also be emitted over other countries. The frequency band in question, 2025 to 2110 megahertz, is primarily assigned as an uplink band for spacecraft, which means it's typically used for sending signals to satellites in orbit.

This band is used by various US entities, including NASA and NOAA, as well as private broadcasters with satellite-equipped vehicles. Tilley expressed concern over the lack of transparency in how the US government manages the radio spectrum and the apparent failure to coordinate spectrum usage with other nations.

While there have been no reported complaints of interference from these unexpected emissions, the situation raises significant questions about the operational complexities of satellite communications. The overlapping signals from the Starshield constellation could potentially disrupt the reception of ground station signals directed at satellites, which poses a risk to both governmental and commercial satellite operations.

The findings underscore the challenges of international coordination in space communications, especially as more entities, such as SpaceX, enter the satellite arena. The report emphasizes that as satellite technology becomes increasingly pervasive, the need for effective spectrum management and international cooperation becomes even more critical.