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Starshield includes cameras and other sensors that are not present on normal Starlink satellites.

Both of you are wrong and right.

Starshield is a division of SpaceX that delivers tailored solutions to the government.

Just like Boeing Defence,Viasat (Government Systems),Intelsat (Government Solutions),and the like.

The satellites they deliver to the government as part of NRO Starshield for example use a Starlink bus with Northrop sensors. Other sensors can be added as you please

If you think Starshield's Internet costs too much, you can always buy from the cheaper (lol) competition. The USG also pays for regular Starlink services and they get what the hoi polloi get.

You truly do get what you pay for.

Shenanigans ensue when you think you can buy retail products and use them for things they aren't licenced for. We all know Microsoft Office home can type your military documents just fine afterall. Absolutely no need to pay more.

It's been a long time since I've had a deep dive into government vendor regulations, but I recall that it was illegal to charge the government more than your lowest private sector customer price. That's why everybody's got a government division with products tailored to government requirements. Sometimes those are real requirements, and sometimes they are just enough to justify a different price.

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