SpaceX, Elon Musk's recently Texanized space technology company, has come under fire in recent weeks for the role its Wi-Fi product Starlink has played in several international conflicts around the world.
Most notable are reports that Starlink technology is beginning to be used by the Russian military in attacks against Ukraine. The operation resulted in the Ukrainian military ceding previously occupied territory.
Now, the federal government is pressuring SpaceX to regulate its technology, and is even working with the company to do so. However, regulating this technology is proving to be much more difficult than expected. Here's what you need to know.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a subsidiary of SpaceX. In its most basic form, Starlink is a Wi-Fi technology that connects to various SpaceX satellites to provide internet even if you don't have a router nearby.
Musk said the service is a two-step setup process and is designed to provide users with flexible and reliable internet. Starlink is sold in three main categories: residential, roaming for mobile land services, and boats for mobile water services.
Prices for Starlink's internet service start at $120 per month, with a one-time hardware fee adding $599 to the price tag.
How is Starlink used in international conflicts?
Although sanctions against Russia theoretically mean Starlink cannot be sold domestically, a report in the Wall Street Journal suggests that selling Starlink on the black market could allow Russia to obtain the technology. This confirms that
Starlink is especially useful during wartime, as troops can use it to access the Internet even when there are no routers or phone lines around.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Starlink is being used in conflicts across Africa, including in Sudan and Zimbabwe.
Why would the government want to regulate Starlink?
In May, Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia of California announced that he and a group of other members of Congress were working to determine whether SpaceX was doing enough to prevent Russia from using Starlink. wrote that it plans to launch an investigation into SpaceX.
Elon Musk took to social media to refute claims that SpaceX is allowing Russia to use the technology.
“Many false reports claim that SpaceX is selling Starlink terminals to Russia. This is completely false. To our knowledge, Starlink has not been sold directly or indirectly to Russia. No,” Musk said in a post to X.
As of this writing, the investigation into SpaceX has not yet concluded, but reports indicate the company is actively working with the government.
Beck Andrew Salgado covers trending topics in Austin's business ecosystem for American politicians. To share additional tips or insights salgado, Email Bsalgado@gannett.com.
