In recent years, defense satellite networks have undergone significant advancements, bolstering global security and communication capabilities. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has transitioned its Proliferated Architecture Mission from demonstration to operational status, deploying over 150 small, cost-effective satellites across multiple orbital planes. This approach aims to increase revisit rates, enhance resilience against anti-satellite threats, and provide near-real-time intelligence to users, including the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense. By leveraging commercial off-the-shelf technologies and partnerships with companies like SpaceX and Northrop Grumman, the NRO seeks to quadruple the number of satellites it operates and increase the volume of signals and imagery intelligence by a factor of ten within the next decade. en.wikipedia.org
Similarly, the European Union is developing the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity, and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) project, a multi-orbit satellite internet constellation comprising 264 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and 18 medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellites. Set to be deployed by 2027, IRIS² aims to provide secure communications, location tracking, and security surveillance services to governmental agencies, directly comparable to the U.S. SpaceX Starshield project. en.wikipedia.org Additionally, companies like SES have secured substantial contracts to support military operations. In August 2025, SES won a $89.6 million, five-year contract to provide commercial satellite communications services to the U.S. Army, supporting Combat Service Support and Department of Defense programs. reuters.com These developments underscore the growing reliance on satellite constellations for national security and the increasing collaboration between government agencies and private companies in enhancing defense capabilities.