nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Hinterlands, a classified SpaceX program appears to be ignoring international standards. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include the development of a microplastic–eating robot fish, an unexpected reveal about an early 1900s Antarctic exploration ship, and the technology that might become crucial for further Mars exploration.
An amateur satellite tracker from Canada recently discovered that SpaceX satellites appear to be transmitting signals to the Earth’s surface at a frequency that could violate international standards. The satellite tracker, Scott Tiley, stumbled upon the transmission signal by accident. After comparing his data with that of other similar satellite trackers, he was surprised to realize that the signal was coming from SpaceX’s Starshield. Starshield uses similar technology to Starlink, but instead of providing internet services to the public, the classified program is intended for government use. In 2021, Starshield signed a $1.8 billion contract with the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Then, in March 2024, it was reported that Starshield was creating a network of spy satellites.
Tiley’s findings suggest that at least 170 Starshield satellites are emitting radio frequencies between 2025–2110 MHz. Most satellites use this frequency to uplink data from Earth, but the Starshield satellites are doing the exact opposite, downlinking data to Earth. According to Tiley’s data, the frequency with which these satellites are downlinking data at this radio frequency does not adhere to the standards set by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union.
SpaceX has not currently responded to these findings, so Starshield’s purpose for using this spectrum of radio frequency remains unknown. Starlink operates at much higher frequencies for its broadband data transmissions, but Starshield’s downlinks must be operating at a substantially lower transmission rate. Despite the lower transmission rates, the 2025–2110 MHz band is “typically quiet,” which could explain why SpaceX is using it for Starshield. Scott Tiley suggests SpaceX may also be trying to hide Starshield’s operations by downlinking at a quieter frequency range that is more commonly used for uplinking.
The purpose of the UN’s International Telecommunication Union’s standards is to protect satellite transmissions from interfering with one another. If Starshield is not adhering to international standards, other satellite transmissions could be disrupted. So far, no such disruptions have been reported, according to experts. Furthermore, the International Telecommunication Union does not administer fines for regulatory violations, so SpaceX will likely not face any consequences.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Hinterlands:
- Scientists have developed a robot fish that consumes microplastics in the ocean for energy.
- A recent paper reveals that a famous Antarctic exploration ship from the early 1900s was not as well–engineered as previously believed.
- A recent paper suggests that smart solar sails could become an indispensable technology for exploring Mars.
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Questions raised about Starshield data downlink frequencies
Image by Getty Images via Unsplash.
October 24, 2025
Diplomatic Courier’s Stephanie Gull brings you weekly under–the–radar stories from around the world. This week in the Hinterlands: an amateur satellite tracker says SpaceX Starshield satellites are violating international standards when uplinking data from Earth.
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nder the Radar is a weekly special series bringing you compelling, under–the–radar stories from around the world, one region at a time. This week in the Hinterlands, a classified SpaceX program appears to be ignoring international standards. Other noteworthy under–the–radar stories from the region include the development of a microplastic–eating robot fish, an unexpected reveal about an early 1900s Antarctic exploration ship, and the technology that might become crucial for further Mars exploration.
An amateur satellite tracker from Canada recently discovered that SpaceX satellites appear to be transmitting signals to the Earth’s surface at a frequency that could violate international standards. The satellite tracker, Scott Tiley, stumbled upon the transmission signal by accident. After comparing his data with that of other similar satellite trackers, he was surprised to realize that the signal was coming from SpaceX’s Starshield. Starshield uses similar technology to Starlink, but instead of providing internet services to the public, the classified program is intended for government use. In 2021, Starshield signed a $1.8 billion contract with the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Then, in March 2024, it was reported that Starshield was creating a network of spy satellites.
Tiley’s findings suggest that at least 170 Starshield satellites are emitting radio frequencies between 2025–2110 MHz. Most satellites use this frequency to uplink data from Earth, but the Starshield satellites are doing the exact opposite, downlinking data to Earth. According to Tiley’s data, the frequency with which these satellites are downlinking data at this radio frequency does not adhere to the standards set by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union.
SpaceX has not currently responded to these findings, so Starshield’s purpose for using this spectrum of radio frequency remains unknown. Starlink operates at much higher frequencies for its broadband data transmissions, but Starshield’s downlinks must be operating at a substantially lower transmission rate. Despite the lower transmission rates, the 2025–2110 MHz band is “typically quiet,” which could explain why SpaceX is using it for Starshield. Scott Tiley suggests SpaceX may also be trying to hide Starshield’s operations by downlinking at a quieter frequency range that is more commonly used for uplinking.
The purpose of the UN’s International Telecommunication Union’s standards is to protect satellite transmissions from interfering with one another. If Starshield is not adhering to international standards, other satellite transmissions could be disrupted. So far, no such disruptions have been reported, according to experts. Furthermore, the International Telecommunication Union does not administer fines for regulatory violations, so SpaceX will likely not face any consequences.
Here are some other under–the–radar stories from the Hinterlands:
- Scientists have developed a robot fish that consumes microplastics in the ocean for energy.
- A recent paper reveals that a famous Antarctic exploration ship from the early 1900s was not as well–engineered as previously believed.
- A recent paper suggests that smart solar sails could become an indispensable technology for exploring Mars.
