Want to buy a satellite? Here’s what it costs

A Las Vegas-based company is now offering ultra-wealthy individuals the opportunity to purchase a military-grade personal satellite for $5.5 million. United Spaceports Corp., the owner of the upcoming Las Vegas Spaceport, has launched a new product: the Black Star 1000 satellite, which comes complete with launch and ground support.

What’s included in your $5.5 million satellite package

Each purchase includes a refrigerator-sized satellite, a launch into low-Earth orbit on a SpaceX rocket, and a fully operational terrestrial command center. The satellite features an AI-powered Nvidia data center, a cryptocurrency coin wallet, and a telescope for outer space observation. It also boasts military-grade communications, an X-band for data downlink, and an S-band for satellite control, making it one of the most advanced private platforms ever offered.

Solar arrays keep the system powered, and modular design allows future upgrades. Owners also receive 24/7 dedicated support and one ground station for satellite communications. For those with deeper pockets, the company offers customizations like geostationary orbit launches or airborne receivers to ensure satellite access even while flying.

Digital sovereignty for the ultra-rich

Rob Lauer, CEO of United Spaceports, claims the Black Star 1000 delivers “the most secure data and communications platform ever conceived.” He argues that in an age of constant digital surveillance and cyber threats, owning a personal satellite is a matter of necessity, not luxury, especially for powerful business leaders seeking complete control over their communications.

Though the market is niche, early adopters could become pioneers of a new era—one where space is not just for governments, but for private individuals too.