{
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "generatedAt": "2026-10-19T06:38:54.818Z",
  "findingType": "finding",
  "findingId": 4133,
  "contentHash": "245e7ea2d7fddd975f831d57a7df78eb076748ecbea2f7c5a31b0432fb028e8e",
  "title": "SpaceX Starshield Satellites Detected Transmitting on Unauthorized Spectrum Frequencies (2025-2110 MHz); No Public ITU Coordination Filings",
  "summary": "Independent radio-frequency monitoring identified 170 SpaceX Starshield satellites transmitting in the 2025-2110 MHz frequency range, a band not allocated to the company in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) coordination filings. NPR reporting documented unknown communication signals emanating from the Starshield constellation, raising risks of accidental interference with civilian communications systems operating on adjacent frequencies and complicating diplomatic spectrum coordination with other spacefaring nations. Starshield operates under classified Department of Defense and intelligence-community contracts, which the operator and government have cited as basis for limited public spectrum disclosure. The structural pattern — a private contractor operating classified military satellite infrastructure outside the public ITU coordination regime that applies to all other commercial satellite operators — represents a regulatory gap unique to the dual-use defense-startup model that Starshield exemplifies.",
  "methodology": "This finding was identified through systematic investigation of 5 entities. Evidence was classified as \"significant\" severity based on source verification tier (investigative_journalism, news_reporting). The finding was reviewed under editorial status \"published\".",
  "sources": [
    {
      "url": "https://www.npr.org/2025/10/17/npr-report-starshield-satellites-transmit-unknown-signals",
      "label": "NPR: Starshield satellites detected transmitting unknown signals",
      "type": "primary"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://goblinhouse.net/entity/spacex",
      "label": "SpaceX — entity dossier",
      "type": "primary"
    }
  ],
  "queries": [
    {
      "description": "Finding record lookup",
      "table": "findings",
      "parameters": {
        "id": 4133
      }
    },
    {
      "description": "Involved entity resolution",
      "table": "entities",
      "parameters": {
        "names": [
          "SpaceX",
          "Starshield",
          "U.S. Space Force",
          "National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)",
          "International Telecommunication Union (ITU)"
        ]
      }
    }
  ],
  "dataSnapshot": {
    "id": 4133,
    "title": "SpaceX Starshield Satellites Detected Transmitting on Unauthorized Spectrum Frequencies (2025-2110 MHz); No Public ITU Coordination Filings",
    "findingType": "structural",
    "description": "Independent radio-frequency monitoring identified 170 SpaceX Starshield satellites transmitting in the 2025-2110 MHz frequency range, a band not allocated to the company in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) coordination filings. NPR reporting documented unknown communication signals emanating from the Starshield constellation, raising risks of accidental interference with civilian communications systems operating on adjacent frequencies and complicating diplomatic spectrum coordination with other spacefaring nations. Starshield operates under classified Department of Defense and intelligence-community contracts, which the operator and government have cited as basis for limited public spectrum disclosure. The structural pattern — a private contractor operating classified military satellite infrastructure outside the public ITU coordination regime that applies to all other commercial satellite operators — represents a regulatory gap unique to the dual-use defense-startup model that Starshield exemplifies.",
    "severity": "significant",
    "evidenceSummary": "Detection of 170 Starshield satellites transmitting in 2025-2110 MHz: independent RF monitoring reported by NPR (October 17, 2025). Absence of public ITU coordination filings: confirmed by absence of corresponding ITU notification publications. Classified-program designation: noted in DoD contract announcements for the constellation.",
    "publicInterest": "International spectrum coordination through the ITU is the framework that prevents accidental interference between satellite constellations and ground-based communication systems. When a private contractor operates a constellation outside that framework under classified-program cover, the risk of operational interference is borne by other users of the spectrum — civilian communication systems, foreign government communications, scientific receivers — none of whom can know to avoid the unannounced bands. The Starshield case represents the first known commercial-scale satellite constellation operating outside ITU coordination under US classified-program authority.",
    "sourceTypes": [
      "investigative_journalism",
      "news_reporting"
    ],
    "sourceUrls": [
      {
        "url": "https://www.npr.org/2025/10/17/npr-report-starshield-satellites-transmit-unknown-signals",
        "label": "NPR: Starshield satellites detected transmitting unknown signals"
      },
      {
        "url": "https://goblinhouse.net/entity/spacex",
        "label": "SpaceX — entity dossier"
      }
    ],
    "reviewStatus": "published",
    "goblin": {
      "name": "Goat",
      "slug": "goat"
    },
    "createdAt": null
  },
  "entities": [
    {
      "id": 35,
      "name": "Starshield",
      "slug": "starshield",
      "type": "instrument"
    },
    {
      "id": 9150,
      "name": "U.S. Space Force",
      "slug": "us-space-force",
      "type": "institution"
    },
    {
      "id": 96,
      "name": "National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)",
      "slug": "national-reconnaissance-office-nro",
      "type": "institution"
    },
    {
      "id": 23,
      "name": "SpaceX",
      "slug": "spacex",
      "type": "company"
    }
  ],
  "verificationSteps": [
    "Retrieve finding #4133 from the findings table and confirm title, description, and severity match this bundle.",
    "Visit source: https://www.npr.org/2025/10/17/npr-report-starshield-satellites-transmit-unknown-signals — confirm the claim described in the evidence summary.",
    "Visit source: https://goblinhouse.net/entity/spacex — confirm the claim described in the evidence summary.",
    "Cross-reference involved entities (SpaceX, Starshield, U.S. Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU)) in the entities table.",
    "Verify the SHA-256 content hash by re-generating the JSON bundle and hashing it."
  ]
}