Germany Plans to Create Satellite Constellation of Over 100 Satellites

Germany is planning to establish a coded satellite constellation consisting of more than 100 satellites over the next few years to ensure communication and missile tracking, Major General Michael Traut, head of the German Aerospace Command, told Reuters.

Last week, the Financial Times reported, citing sources, that the German defense company Rheinmetall and the OHB space company are negotiating to submit a joint proposal for a project similar to Starshield, which is a subsidiary of Elon Musk's Starlink global internet coverage network.

“Over the next few years, Germany will create a coded military constellation consisting of more than 100 satellites, known as SATCOM Stage 4,” the agency reported.

According to Traut, this network will be modeled after the U.S. Space Development Agency, which is a Pentagon agency deploying satellites in low Earth orbit for communication and missile tracking.

“We need to strengthen our deterrence positions in space, as space has become an operational domain, even a battlefield, and we understand very well that our systems, our space capabilities need to be protected,” Traut asserted. He added that Berlin and its European allies must enhance their deterrence positions by investing not only in communication protection but also in capabilities that would allow them to disrupt and disable enemy space systems.