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The Era Of Private Satellites Has Just Reached A New Level. For US$ 5.5 Million, A Company Is Offering Personal Satellites With Military-Grade Technology, Previously Exclusive To Governments And Large Space Agencies
A company from the United States is offering billionaires the chance to have something previously restricted to governments: their own military-grade satellite.
The novelty comes from United Spaceports Corp., a company based in Las Vegas, which promises to revolutionize access to space.
Private Satellite With Military Capabilities
The product is the Black Star 1000, a satellite with advanced features, similar to those used by armed forces. The complete package is sold for US$ 5.5 million and includes the satellite, its launch, a ground command station, and various technological resources.
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The equipment is the size of a small refrigerator and will be sent to space with a rocket hired by SpaceX, in low Earth orbit (LEO). In this position, the satellite constantly flies over different parts of the planet, allowing communication every time it passes over a region.
According to United Spaceports’ CEO, Rob Lauer, the goal is to provide a secure data and communications platform. He states that this security has become a necessity, not a luxury anymore.
Privacy And Digital Control As Priority
Lauer mentioned a recent incident to illustrate the risks of unsecured digital communication. In March, during a conversation about military actions against Houthi targets in Yemen, a mistake in the messaging app resulted in a journalist accidentally being included in the group. The episode, dubbed “Signalgate,” raised concerns about the lack of control over sensitive data.
With the Black Star 1000, the promise is of digital sovereignty. The satellite offers communication via S band for control and X band for data transfer, as well as 24-hour support and solar panels for continuous operation.
Cutting-Edge Technology In The Package
In addition to secure communication, the package includes an Nvidia data center with artificial intelligence, a cryptocurrency wallet, a camera with remote sensor, a telescope for space observations, and a ground station.
The satellite also features modular architecture, allowing for customizations. The client can, for example, request a geostationary orbit instead of low, which would increase the cost. This orbit, about 35,000 kilometers from the equator, allows the satellite to remain fixed over a single point on the planet.
Another additional option is to install a receiver on a jet aircraft, ensuring communication even during flight.
The Market Is Still Small, But With Potential
Lauer acknowledges that the target audience is limited. According to him, it is a product for ultra-wealthy individuals who see value in controlling their own data in the same way that they value luxury cars or exclusive yachts.
“Space Is Never Really Safe Unless You Own It,” said the executive. He believes that the project signifies the beginning of a new era, where privacy, digital sovereignty, and security can be directly controlled by the user.
The company is already accepting deposits for launches, which are expected to occur within two years. With advancements in spacecraft development, United Spaceports hopes to conduct launches directly from the Las Vegas Spaceport in the future.
For Lauer, the initiative represents handing over the “keys to space” to the most powerful entrepreneurs in the world. He believes the first customers will be pioneers of a new phase of human presence beyond Earth.
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