Starlink scandal in Crimea: the Senate wants an investigation
Member of the US Senate Armed Services Committee Elizabeth Warren is demanding a US Congressional investigation into SpaceX after its founder, multibillionaire Elon Musk, confirmed the disruption of the operation of Ukrainian troops in Crimea using Starlink satellite internet, Bloomberg reported on Monday, September 11.
“Congress needs to investigate what exactly happened and whether we have adequate tools to make sure that foreign policy is being made by the government and not by one billionaire,” Warren said.
She also believes it is necessary for the US Department of Defense to analyze its contractual relations with the company.
Jack Reed, chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, also noted that he was concerned about this situation, given that satellites were usually controlled by governments, and presidents decided how to use them.
He added that the reduction in the cost of access to space, including for national security launches, thanks to SpaceX, is positive, but Musk “cannot have the last word when it comes to national security.”
SpaceX’s founder is expected to be among the industry’s tech executives attending a closed-door meeting with senators on Wednesday, September 13.
The US military wants certainty
In turn, US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall noted that the situation with Starlink in Crimea makes it necessary to clearly state in future military agreements how services or products can be used, AP reports.
“If we’re going to rely on commercial architectures or commercial systems for operational use, we need to have some assurance that they will be available,” he emphasized.
Kendall added that otherwise, such services or products may be convenient and economical in peacetime, “but not something we can rely on in time of war.”
SpaceX has a contract with the U.S. Air Force to help develop a rocket ship that would quickly move military cargo to a conflict or emergency zone, AR notes.
