Ukrainian groups concerned about Elon Musk's ties with Russia have expressed opposition to SpaceX's launch of 22,500 Starlink satellites into orbit



SpaceX, an aerospace company led by Elon Musk, has applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to launch approximately 30,000 satellites to further expand its satellite internet service 'Starlink,' of which

7,500 have been approved for launch (PDF file) . In addition, the Ukrainian-American group Ukrainian Congressional Committee of the United States (UCCA) has requested the FCC not to approve the launch of 22,488 satellites that were not approved as of November 2024 due to concerns about Musk's ties with the Russian government.

SpaceX faces opposition to Starlink expansion from Ukrainian group
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/05/spacex-faces-opposition-to-starlink-expansion-from-ukrainian-group.html



When Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, raising concerns that the country's telecommunications infrastructure would be rendered unusable, SpaceX immediately launched Starlink services in Ukraine and sent connection kits to Ukraine.

Elon Musk's instructions make satellite internet 'Starlink' available in Ukraine in no time - GIGAZINE


By Tim Reckmann

After that, the Ukrainian military used Starlink not only for civilian but also military purposes, such as using it to attack the Russian military. However, SpaceX claimed that 'Starlink was intended to be used for humanitarian purposes and was not intended to be used for attacks,' and in February 2023, it partially restricted the use of Starlink by the Ukrainian military. In addition, when it was reported in September 2023 that measures had been taken to prevent the use of Starlink over the Crimean Peninsula to prevent the Ukrainian military from attacking the Russian Navy, SpaceX was severely criticized by Ukrainian government officials.




In addition, despite SpaceX's insistence that it would not sell Starlink terminals to Russia, it has been reported that Starlink is being used on the front lines of the Russian military's invasion of Ukraine, and it has been reported that Musk has been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2022. Concerns about Musk's ties to the Russian government are gradually growing.

Elon Musk has been in contact with President Putin since 2022 and has been asked not to provide Starlink services in Taiwan for China's sake - GIGAZINE



In response to these concerns, UCCA President Michael Sokiw Jr. said, 'We need to determine whether Starlink was used to aid a foreign adversary, Russia. If that is the case, this poses a threat not only to Ukrainian Americans but also to our national security,' and called on the FCC not to approve SpaceX's launches.

The UCCA also pointed out the environmental impacts of SpaceX's rocket launches. Arthur Berendiuk, UCCA's chief regulatory counsel, said, 'SpaceX's launch site in Boca Chica, Texas, is a biologically diverse and essential habitat for many species, including wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act. Rocket launches in this area create risks to adjacent environmentally sensitive areas, including fires and debris.'

In addition, when it was reported that nine endangered bird nests were destroyed by a rocket launch in July 2024, Musk commented, 'To atone for this heinous crime, I will refrain from eating omelets for a week.' In response, Berendiuk criticized Musk for 'responding to legitimate concerns by local environmental groups with sarcasm and ridicule.'




It has been revealed that Musk will be appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the next Donald Trump administration. UCCA criticized Musk's company, saying, 'Musk's companies not only benefit from government contracts, but also from the results of government actions, including those of the FCC. Appointing Musk to head DOGE is like having a carnivorous fox guard the henhouse.'

Neither Musk nor Tim Hughes, SpaceX's senior vice president of global business and government affairs, responded to UCCA's request for comment.

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