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Defense department grants SpaceX enhanced access to restricted orbital tracking data

The Guardian reports SpaceX gained enhanced access to a military tracking catalog in exchange for access to Stargaze sensors.

Updated Oct 25, 2026 · 14:23 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • The US military and SpaceX signed a new contract giving SpaceX access to restricted space tracking data.[The Guardian]
  • SpaceX gets enhanced access to the High Accuracy Catalog, a first for a commercial firm, in return for Stargaze sensor access.[The Guardian]
  • The Trump administration tried to largely defund Traccs, a civilian collision-prevention program, in fiscal 2026, but Congress restored the funding.[The Guardian]
  • The Space Force says it is engaging several companies to exchange commercial data for catalog access, so the broader scope is unclear.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • The US military and SpaceX signed a new contract granting SpaceX access to restricted space tracking data.[The Guardian]
  • SpaceX received enhanced access to the Space Command's High Accuracy Catalog, the first such access for a commercial company.[The Guardian]
  • The government receives access to Stargaze cameras and sensors in return for the data.[The Guardian]
  • A Space Force spokesperson said the agency is engaging several companies to exchange commercial data for access to parts of the catalog.[The Guardian]
  • Traccs manages thousands of satellites and debris and helps prevent up to 50,000 near-collisions daily.[The Guardian]
  • The Trump administration tried to largely defund the $65m Traccs program in fiscal 2026, but Congress re-inserted the funding.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • Whether the arrangement gives SpaceX a competitive advantage is the Guardian's assessment, not an established finding, and neither company responded to Guardian comment requests.[The Guardian]
  • The reporting does not establish whether other companies will receive similar access, since the Space Force's engagement with several firms is unspecified.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.