The U.S. spy satellites from SpaceX are sending wrong signals

A researcher specialized in satellites has discovered that about 170 Starshield satellites built by SpaceX for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) of the United States Government have been sending signals in the wrong direction.

The spy satellites built by SpaceX are helping the NRO significantly expand its satellite surveillance capabilities, but the purpose of these signals is unknown.

Signals are sent from space to Earth on a frequency band internationally assigned for transmissions from Earth to space and from space to space.

A mistake that could affect millions of people around the world

There have been no public complaints about interference caused by the surprising emissions from Starshield. But the researcher who discovered them claims that they highlight a concerning lack of transparency in the management of spectrum use by the U.S. government and a lack of coordination with other countries in this area.

Scott Tilley, a technology engineer and amateur radio astronomer from British Columbia, discovered the signals in late September or early October while working on another project.

They found them in various parts of the 2025-2110 MHz band and, from their location, were able to confirm that 170 satellites were emitting signals over Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Given the global nature of the Starshield constellation, it is possible that the signals are also being emitted over other countries.

“This particular band is assigned by the ITU [International Telecommunication Union], primarily by the United States and Canada, as an uplink band for spacecraft in orbit, that is, objects in space, so satellite receivers will listen to these frequencies,” explained Tilley to the technology outlet Ars Technica.

“If there is a constellation of very powerful signals emitting on the same frequencies, there is a possibility that they will interfere with the reception of the signals from the ground stations directed at the satellites in orbit,” he explains.

Tilley had already made headlines in 2018 when he located a satellite that NASA had lost contact with in 2005. In relation to his new discovery, Tilley published data and a technical article in which he described the “strong broadband S-band emissions,” and his work was highlighted by NPR on October 17.

In the United States, among the users of the S band between 2025 and 2110 MHz are NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as non-governmental users, such as television networks that have vehicles equipped with satellites to broadcast from remote locations.

Experts told Ars that it is likely that the NRO coordinated with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. to ensure that the signals did not interfere with other spectrum users.

According to them, the decision to allow emissions would not necessarily be made public. However, it is still possible that conflicts may arise with other governments, especially if it is discovered that the signals interfere with users of frequencies in other countries.