SpaceX to Build Missile-Tracking Satellites
2020-10-08
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1SpaceX has been chosen by the U.S. Defense Department to build missile-tracking satellites.
2The $149 million contract, or legal agreement, was announced by the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) this week.
3The SDA is an agency under the Department of Defense.
4It is the first time SpaceX has won a government contract to build satellites.
5The American aerospace company is best known for its rockets.
6In May, SpaceX made history by launching two astronauts into space aboard a rocket and spacecraft the company built and operated for NASA.
7SpaceX has increased its satellite production in recent years for its Starlink network.
8Starlink is a group of satellites - deployed to low-Earth orbit - designed to send internet signals across the world.
9SpaceX chief Elon Musk has said he hopes Starlink will make enough money to help pay for the company's space travel goals.
10Under the contract, SpaceX will use its Starlink plant in Redmond, Washington, to build four satellites.
11The satellites will have a special missile-tracking sensor supplied by another company, an SDA official said.
12The SDA also awarded a $193 million contract to technology company L3 Harris Technologies Inc. to build four additional satellites.
13Both companies are expected to have the satellites ready for launch by fall 2022.
14The awards represent the start of SDA's plan to develop a system of satellites in low-Earth orbit to detect and follow missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
15ICBMs can travel long distances and are difficult to follow and intercept, or stop.
16In 2019, SpaceX won a $28 million contract from the U.S. Air Force.
17The contract permits the Air Force to use the Starlink satellite network to test encrypted internet services on military planes.
18The Air Force has not ordered any Starlink satellites of its own.
19I'm John Russell.
1SpaceX has been chosen by the U.S. Defense Department to build missile-tracking satellites. 2The $149 million contract, or legal agreement, was announced by the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) this week. The SDA is an agency under the Department of Defense. 3It is the first time SpaceX has won a government contract to build satellites. The American aerospace company is best known for its rockets. 4In May, SpaceX made history by launching two astronauts into space aboard a rocket and spacecraft the company built and operated for NASA. 5SpaceX has increased its satellite production in recent years for its Starlink network. Starlink is a group of satellites - deployed to low-Earth orbit - designed to send internet signals across the world. 6SpaceX chief Elon Musk has said he hopes Starlink will make enough money to help pay for the company's space travel goals. 7Under the contract, SpaceX will use its Starlink plant in Redmond, Washington, to build four satellites. The satellites will have a special missile-tracking sensor supplied by another company, an SDA official said. 8The SDA also awarded a $193 million contract to technology company L3 Harris Technologies Inc. to build four additional satellites. 9Both companies are expected to have the satellites ready for launch by fall 2022. 10The awards represent the start of SDA's plan to develop a system of satellites in low-Earth orbit to detect and follow missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). ICBMs can travel long distances and are difficult to follow and intercept, or stop. 11In 2019, SpaceX won a $28 million contract from the U.S. Air Force. The contract permits the Air Force to use the Starlink satellite network to test encrypted internet services on military planes. 12The Air Force has not ordered any Starlink satellites of its own. 13I'm John Russell. 14Joey Roulette reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 15_______________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17track - v. record the progress or development of something over time 18sensor - n. a device that detects or senses heat, light, sound, motion, etc., and then reacts to it in a particular way 19detect - v. discover or notice something 20encrypt - v. to change (information) from one form to another especially to hide its meaning 21We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.