U.S. Air Force officials met in February with SpaceX founder Elon Musk and President Gwynne Shotwell at the company’s headquarters. Among the topics discussed was future Air Force use of SpaceX’s Starlink broadband services. Credit: Air Force Air Combat Command

WASHINGTON — The megaconstellations that promise to bring cheap broadband to the masses have drawn the military’s attention. Commercial space internet provided by hundreds or thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit will become a reality in the next few years, and the Pentagon already is trying to figure out how it will buy and use these services.

To continue reading this article:

Register now to read
3 free articles this month.

You’ll also receive our weekly Editor’s Choice, SpaceNews This Week and Opinions newsletters. Opt-out at any time.

Sign in to an existing account

Get unlimited access to SpaceNews.com, the SpaceNews app and our digital monthly magazine for less than $5 per week.

$280

On a campus or library network? Check for access.

Cancel anytime. Sales tax may apply. No refunds. Terms and conditions apply.

See all subscription options

Sandra Erwin writes about military space programs, policy, technology and the industry that supports this sector. She has covered the military, the Pentagon, Congress and the defense industry for nearly two decades as editor of NDIA’s National Defense...