An engaging animation showcases the movement of Starlink satellites over Ukraine, demonstrating their paths and directions, including the occupied territory. This dynamic display encompasses five minutes of satellite movement on July 25.
During a call on March 17, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley, and the leader of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their conversation, conducted over a secure line, covered topics such as air defense systems, real-time battlefield assessments, and shared intelligence on Russia’s military losses. Interestingly, General Zaluzhnyi brought up Elon Musk and the satellite internet technology, Starlink, developed by Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX. It was revealed that Ukraine relied on Starlink for communications in battlefield decisions and expressed their desire to ensure continued access and discuss cost coverage for the service. Curiously, when General Zaluzhnyi inquired about Mr. Musk’s assessment, American officials refrained from providing an answer.
Elon Musk, who leads SpaceX, Tesla, and Twitter, has emerged as the dominant force in the realm of space, amassing substantial power over satellite internet, a strategically significant domain. However, concerns have arisen as his unpredictable and personality-driven approach, combined with minimal regulation and oversight, has unsettled military and political leaders worldwide. Since 2019, SpaceX has launched rockets nearly every week, delivering numerous satellite batches into orbit. These satellites communicate with Earth-based terminals, enabling high-speed internet coverage across the globe. Presently, over 4,500 Starlink satellites, accounting for more than half of all active satellites, grace the skies. This substantial presence has already started reshaping the appearance of the night sky, and Mr. Musk’s ambitious plans may add up to 42,000 satellites to the network in the coming years.
Starlink’s impact as a technology, propelling SpaceX’s value to nearly $140 billion, is only beginning to be felt. It plays a critical role in providing internet access in war zones, remote locations, and areas affected by natural disasters. Ukraine leverages Starlink for coordinating drone strikes and gathering intelligence. Activists in countries like Iran and Turkey utilize the service to circumvent government controls. The U.S. Defense Department is a significant Starlink customer, and other countries, including Japan, are testing the technology. However, the extent of Mr. Musk’s control over satellite internet has raised alarms.
Mr. Musk’s enigmatic personality, combined with his absolute authority over Starlink, has created concerns. He possesses the power to deny Starlink internet access to customers or entire countries, and the invaluable intelligence gathered by the service puts him in a position to wield sensitive information. These apprehensions are amplified by the lack of alternatives to what he has built.
Ukraine has experienced firsthand the consequences of Mr. Musk’s control. He has restricted Starlink access multiple times during the war, affecting battlefield strategy. Furthermore, he publicly proposed a “peace plan” aligned with Russian interests. On occasion, Mr. Musk has showcased his influence openly, presenting himself as a hub of real-time global economic data through Tesla, Starlink, and Twitter.
Starlink’s dominance is evident, with the majority of active satellites orbiting Earth belonging to the network. Operating approximately 300 miles above Earth in “low-Earth orbit,” Starlink satellites are significantly closer than traditional satellite internet services. This proximity allows for enhanced performance. Data from CelesTrak indicates that over 80% of the 10,300 satellites orbiting Earth are active, and 53% of these active satellites are Starlink.
Despite its undeniable benefits, Ukrainian officials are wary of being overly reliant on Mr. Musk’s technology. They have explored alternative satellite internet providers but acknowledge that none rival Starlink’s extensive reach. Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s digital minister, acknowledges Starlink’s significance, stating that it currently serves as their entire communication infrastructure.
Over the past 18 months, at least nine countries, including nations in Europe and the Middle East, have raised concerns about Starlink with American officials. Some express doubts about Mr. Musk’s influence over the technology. However, due to the fear of alienating him, few nations openly discuss their concerns. Intelligence and cybersecurity officials familiar with these conversations highlight the critical role Mr. Musk plays, as no other company or individual has come close to what he has accomplished.
While U.S. officials maintain a delicate balance in considering domestic and geopolitical priorities regarding Mr. Musk, they have disclosed little about Starlink publicly. The federal government represents one of SpaceX’s most prominent customers, utilizing its rockets for NASA missions and launching military surveillance satellites. Senior Pentagon officials have engaged in discussions to mediate Starlink-related issues, especially concerning Ukraine.
Other governments also harbor reservations. Taiwan, concerned about potential vulnerabilities in its internet infrastructure during a Chinese invasion, is reluctant to use Starlink due to Mr. Musk’s business ties with China. China itself has voiced apprehension, seeking assurance from Mr. Musk that Starlink will not be activated within the country where internet control and censorship are imposed. The country has even registered plans to launch 13,000 of its own internet satellites. Notably, driven in part by worries surrounding Starlink and Mr. Musk, the European Union has set aside €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion) to develop a satellite constellation for civilian and military purposes.
Dmitri Alperovitch, a cybersecurity expert and co-founder of the Silverado Policy Accelerator think tank, emphasizes the unique challenge created by Mr. Musk’s influence. Alperovitch argues that reliance on Mr. Musk’s whims and desires poses significant risks, as his control over Starlink extends beyond that of a typical company.
The narrative delves into the earlier days when Mr. Musk first emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the satellite industry. In 2001, Sir Martin Sweeting, the founder of Surrey Satellite Technology, was introduced to Mr. Musk, who expressed interest in placing a greenhouse on Mars. Sweeting, impressed by Musk’s focus, met him for breakfast at a space conference in Colorado. During their conversation, Musk criticized NASA and shared his vision of building a private space fleet. This encounter led to an investment in Sweeting’s company and Musk’s presence on the board of directors until its sale to Airbus in 2009. Another area of intrigue for Mr. Musk was the concept of placing small satellites in low-Earth orbit, which would later be a crucial element of Starlink’s design and functionality.
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