Three Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services have raised concerns about SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and his alleged role in disabling or impeding the function of Starlink satellite communications terminals used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2022. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Elizabeth Warren, and Tammy Duckworth have sent a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, requesting information regarding Musk’s involvement and authority in this matter. The senators question whether Musk directed the disabling of the terminals and express serious concerns about potential undermining of a key U.S. partner.
The senators’ letter follows the publication of a biography of Elon Musk, written by Walter Isaacson. The book claimed that Musk ordered the disconnection of Starlink during a Ukrainian drone submarine attack on Russian warships. This revelation raised alarm bells in Washington, among NATO allies, and in Ukraine. Musk defended himself on social media, stating that he denied a request by Ukraine to provide connectivity in Crimea as it would have made SpaceX complicit in an act of war. Isaacson later corrected his biography, clarifying that connectivity had already been disabled in the affected area, and Musk had only refused to turn it back on.
In a recent interview, Isaacson discussed SpaceX’s development of a military-grade version of Starlink, which addresses the concerns raised by Musk himself. This version of the satellite network aims to resolve the potential misuse of the technology in war situations. CNBC reached out to the U.S. Department of Defense for clarification on several matters related to SpaceX, including the re-evaluation of contracts, the U.S. government’s stance on Musk’s calls for a truce between Ukraine and Russia, and whether Musk’s conduct aligns with the awarded contracts. The Department of Defense confirmed its contract with Starlink for satellite communication services but did not provide further details or answer specific questions.
Senator Elizabeth Warren has called for a Congressional probe into Elon Musk and SpaceX, urging an investigation into the alleged incident and questioning whether adequate measures are in place to ensure that foreign policy is conducted by the government rather than a single billionaire. The call for an inquiry reflects concerns over the concentration of power and the potential implications of individuals influencing international affairs.
In addition to the congressional inquiry, SpaceX is currently facing licensing challenges from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The company is seeking a new license and approvals to resume test flights for its Starship Super Heavy launch vehicle. An earlier test flight resulted in an explosion, prompting an FAA-managed investigation. SpaceX intends to use the Starship to deploy its upcoming Starlink satellites and eventually support missions to the moon and Mars.
The letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlines the senators’ concerns about Musk’s alleged involvement in disabling Starlink terminals used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As the inquiry unfolds, it will shed light on the extent of Musk’s authority and actions regarding the Ukrainian conflict. Furthermore, the congressional probe initiated by Senator Warren seeks to determine the appropriate tools and measures necessary to ensure that foreign policy decisions rest in the hands of the government rather than being influenced by individual billionaires.
Elon Musk’s alleged interference with the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ communications using Starlink satellite terminals has raised significant concerns among Democratic senators. The congressional inquiry and calls for investigations aim to uncover the truth behind these allegations and determine the extent of Musk’s involvement. As SpaceX faces licensing challenges, the future of the company’s satellite technology and Musk’s role in international affairs remain under scrutiny.
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