The first batch of this new classified constellation should enter low-earth orbit in May

第一批新分類星座將於五月進入近地軌道

Space surveillance: SpaceX has never had a particularly friendly relationship with traditional defense contractors and manufacturers. However, the company is allegedly ready to send a fleet of secret US spy satellites into low-earth orbit.

太空監視：SpaceX 從未與傳統國防承包商和製造商建立過特別友好的關係。然而，據稱該公司已準備好將一批美國秘密間諜衛星送入近地軌道。

Unnamed sources told Reuters that SpaceX is working with aerospace and defense contractor Northrop Grumman to develop a highly advanced network of spy satellites. The devices are almost ready to launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The US government will likely use them to acquire high-resolution imagery of Earth's surface.

不願透露姓名的消息人士告訴路透社，SpaceX 正在與航空航太和國防承包商諾斯羅普格魯曼合作開發高度先進的間諜衛星網路。這些設備幾乎已準備好搭載獵鷹 9 號火箭發射。美國政府可能會使用它們來獲取地球表面的高解析度影像。

The constellation of "hundreds" of spy satellites is part of a $1.8 billion contract between SpaceX and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the US defense agency that operates US reconnaissance satellites. Northrop Grumman, one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers and military tech providers, is contributing specific surveillance solutions like a series of sensors for a subset of the spy satellites.

由「數百顆」間諜衛星組成的星座是 SpaceX 與國家偵察辦公室（NRO）（運營美國偵察衛星的美國國防機構）之間價值 18 億美元的合約的一部分。諾斯羅普·格魯曼公司是世界上最大的武器製造商和軍事技術提供者之一，正在提供特定的監視解決方案，例如用於間諜衛星子集的一系列感測器。

One of the sources said that it's in the "government's interest" to avoid investing too much in a single company "run by one person," an explanation providing an almost perfect definition of how SpaceX operates. Northrop Grumman will install its tech in at least 50 of the satellites. Other contractors are working on additional components, with SpaceX coordinating the efforts.

其中一位消息人士表示，避免對“由一個人經營”的一家公司進行過多投資符合“政府利益”，這一解釋為 SpaceX 的運作方式提供了近乎完美的定義。諾斯羅普格魯曼公司將在至少 50 顆衛星上安裝其技術。其他承包商正在開發更多元件，SpaceX 負責協調這些工作。

SpaceX is not unfamiliar with satellite swarms. It put thousands of satellites up for the Starlink internet service. The NRO is interested in exploiting the company's tried ability to launch "megaconstellations" through their existing manufacturing facilities and the reusable Falcon 9 carrier. The new satellites are a "proliferated" network of swarms of individual surveillance devices less vulnerable to a large-scale (albeit still theoretical) attack by enemy entities.

SpaceX 對衛星群並不陌生。它為星鏈互聯網服務放置了數千顆衛星。 NRO 有興趣利用該公司嘗試過的能力，透過其現有的製造設施和可重複使用的獵鷹 9 號運載火箭發射「巨型星座」。新衛星是一個由大量個體監視設備組成的「擴散」網絡，不易受到敵方實體大規模（儘管仍然是理論上的）攻擊的影響。

The new satellites have exceptionally high-quality image sensors, with a resolution that exceeds the capabilities of some of the best spy satellites currently employed by the US. The military could theoretically use them as an alternative to drones and reconnaissance aircraft for surveillance tasks without the risk of violating foreign airspace.

這些新衛星擁有極高品質的影像感測器，其解析度超過了美國目前使用的一些最好的間諜衛星的能力。理論上，軍方可以使用它們作為無人機和偵察機的替代品來執行監視任務，而不會侵犯外國領空。

The insiders said the first elements of the new spy network will launch next month from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The NRO's principal deputy director, Troy Meink, confirmed the launch, stating it will be just the first of six identical operations slated for 2024 alone.

內部人士表示，新間諜網的第一部分將於下個月從加州范登堡太空部隊基地發射。 NRO 首席副主任 Troy Meink 證實了此次發射，並表示這只是計劃於 2024 年進行的六次相同行動中的第一個。