It's a smokescreen for hypersonic missile development. It's a common tactic. I knew someone who worked on a novel satellite surveillance system. Their pitch was that it would allow them to engage in futures trading because the resolution of their satellites would allow unique insights into global trade for certain markets using realtime optical imaging.
The guy was former Lockheed. One night at dinner I told him to cut the BS and that their real goal was to target military/government contracts. He said "off the record" this is correct. This an unspoken goal by everyone involved - management, investors, etc.
My understanding is it can be hard to position yourself as a defense company as a start up if you don't already have a foothold in the space.
Just like all the start-ups building autonomous drones for "search and rescue" missions. There might be more of those companies than people who go missing in national parks each year.
Tbh military surveillance satellites are used for economic espionage, not just military. The US used to, and still does I'm sure, keep track on agricultural yields and similar, because that information can inform strategic decisions and negotiations.
>Their pitch was that it would allow them to engage in futures trading because the resolution of their satellites would allow unique insights into global trade for certain markets using realtime optical imaging.
I mean, that pitch is an accurate claim if the insights in mind are "We just told the pentagon to blow up these pixels". That tends to affect global trade and futures markets.