SpaceX faces opposition to Starlink expansion from Ukrainian group

SpaceX’s effort to put 22,488 additional satellites into low orbit is facing legal opposition from a Ukrainian-American non-profit organization, which says it is concerned about “CEO Elon Musk’s contacts with Russia and the alleged use of his Starlink program by Russian forces in Ukraine.” .”

In a denial request and a stay motion filed with the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) also pointed out the negative environmental impacts of SpaceX’s launch in Texas and Musk’s possible conflict of interest due to his work and those that do not. The Trump administration.

SpaceX’s Starlink program has been linked to Ukraine since the terminals arrived there shortly after Russian forces invaded the neighboring country in early 2022. The following year, the Pentagon agreed to purchase Starlink satellite Internet terminals for use in Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russia.

However, in September 2023, Americans of Ukrainian descent reprimanded a SpaceX executive after it emerged that he had thwarted a major attack by the Russian navy. Musk said at the time that he had told his engineers not to launch SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network over Crimea to prevent a planned Ukrainian attack on the Black Sea fleet in 2022.

“There is a need to determine whether Starlink has been used to aid a foreign enemy,” UCCA President Michael Sawkiw, Jr., told CNBC, regarding the group’s decision to file a motion with the FCC this week. “If so, this is not in the national security interest of the Ukrainian-American people, or of the country as a whole.”

The UCCA is not the only group concerned about Musk’s relationship with the Kremlin.

The Wall Street Journal reported in October that Musk had engaged in a series of “secret talks” with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Members of Congress and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson have called for an investigation of those contacts.

A month before the Journal story, Newsweek and others reported that Russia had installed Starlink terminals on its Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which were used in its military operation in Ukraine. Starlink has not commented on the story, but earlier this year, in February, Musk said in a social media post that news reports suggesting Starlink was selling terminals to Russia were “absolutely false,” and that it was “at best.” To our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.”

Sawkiw said his group represents the causes of concern for the estimated 2 million Americans living in the US today, many of whom arrived after the start of the war in February 2022.

The Starlink satellites mentioned in the application will enable the company to deliver Internet services to many locations around the world as part of the Gen2 NGSO Satellite Program.

Musk did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Tim Hughes, senior vice president of global business and government affairs.

If Sawkiw’s group succeeds on legal merits, the FCC may be required to pause SpaceX’s approval, leaving time for an environmental review, and a plan to resolve any conflicts of interest arising from Musk’s new role with the upcoming Department of Government Operations (DOGE). .

The DOGE is expected to act as a government advisory committee that will influence laws, government spending and personnel. The group could recommend major changes to the FCC and influence the management of SpaceX and other Musk-led companies.

“Musk’s arguments run the gamut from financial to strategic,” UCCA wrote in the petition. “His companies must benefit financially from government contracts and from actions taken by the federal government, including the FCC. Putting Musk at the head of DOGE is like letting the fox guard the henhouse.”

The proposal asks the FCC to determine how Musk will comply with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, given his role with DOGE, before it approves other SpaceX applications.

Regarding environmental concerns, UCCA lead counsel Arthur Belendiuk wrote in letters to the FCC that the SpaceX launch site in Boca Chica, Texas “a diverse and important habitat for many animals, including wild animals protected under the Endangered Species Act.” Referring to previous incidents, he added, “The launch of rockets in this area creates a real risk of fire and debris being thrown into nearby protected areas. .”

After reports that the vibrations and noise from the SpaceX launch led to the destruction of nine nests of endangered bird species in the area, Musk wrote in a post on X in July, “To cover this horrible crime, I will refrain from having an omelet. for a week.”

Belendiuk wrote in the petition that instead of correcting the damage caused by the SpaceX launch, Musk is “responding to the legitimate concerns of environmental groups with sarcasm and sarcasm.”

UCCA filed comments in April against SpaceX in a separate FCC proceeding related to the company’s request to access additional spectrum for its Starlink network.

Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said at the time that the group’s comments were “procedurally wrong and without merit,” and that they wanted “the government to break the law by arming” Musk.

Now, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Carr to lead the FCC in his second term. Carr’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

Belendiuk told CNBC that “his team is not just focused on Musk or SpaceX.”

The group has taken legal action to take Radio Sputnik, which broadcasts Russian government propaganda, off public radio in the US, Beledniuk said, and is “engaged in negotiations with chipmakers whose products have been approved for use in Russian weapons programs.”

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