Senators are demanding answers about what caused the disruptions to SpaceX Starlink connectivity in Ukraine—and what consequences the comms outage had.
Starlink terminals supporting Ukrainian operations reportedly had speed restrictions imposed between Oct. 12 and 14. The limitations impacted Ukrainian drone and aircraft operations, potentially impacting the military’s response to Russian drone and missile attacks, according to the senators, who also raised concerns about “glitches” that affected intelligence sharing and early missile warning.
The buck stops…where?: Four Democratic senators sent a letter to SpaceX on Monday demanding that the company explain what role, if any, it had in the outages. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X that any changes to Starshield—a military version of Starlink developed for the government—were the result of decisions made by the US government.
The letter to Christopher Cardaci, VP of legal at SpaceX, is searching for answers to questions including:
- What restrictions were put enacted during the three day time period this month;
- Who made or was notified about those decisions;
- More broadly, who has the power to revoke or restrike Starlink access in Ukraine.
Grave concerns: A bipartisan group of nine senators also sent a letter to the Pentagon’s inspector general on Thursday, expressing “grave concern” over the Starlink disruptions in Ukraine—including reports that American personnel could not reach safety during attacks because of the comms breakdown. The senators also called for Ukrainian military operations to receive the unlimited Starlink speeds that were originally promised.
Specifically, the senators are asking the IG to determine:
- If the disruptions impacted whether American personnel were able to shelter amid the Russian attacks;
- If the US government knew about or approved the reported slowdowns, and whether they were driven by SpaceX;
- What caused the speed restrictions—including policy decisions, or technical problems;
- What DoD is doing to make sure Americans remain safe—and receive adequate missile-warning info going forward.
“The United States government has a fundamental obligation to protect American personnel serving overseas,” the senators wrote. “The possibility that American personnel were endangered by preventable disruptions, inadequate coordination, or decisions made by their own government demands immediate scrutiny and accountability.”
The concern is bicameral—Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) on Sunday called for Congress to investigate the outages.
Around the world: Starlink is making policy headlines around the world, not just in Ukraine.
- SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X that Starlink was being blocked from beginning service in India by Reliance Industries Chair and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani, in an attempt to squelch competition. The company has fired back, saying that it has “never feared competition,” while its own satellite internet constellation awaits government approval.
- The EU has also threatened to limit access to spectrum for non-European companies, including SpaceX, provoking promises of “devastating” retaliation from Andrew Puzder, the US ambassador to the EU.
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During the next two years, the program will run talent exchanges, delegation visits, and training with the aim of connecting emerging space nations with US companies. Per the State Department, it’s also meant to drive closer alignment of foreign governments’ civil and commercial space positions at the UN’s Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and General Assembly.
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