Congressional inquiries into service limits
U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks and Senator Peter Welch led four other lawmakers on October 23 in demanding that Elon Musk answer questions about Ukrainian Starlink disruptions. The lawmakers sent a public letter to Musk listing five questions concerning Starlink restrictions impacting Ukrainian forces. They gave Musk until October 31 to answer these questions. The lawmakers wrote that because SpaceX is a publicly traded company, it has a legal obligation to disclose to shareholders and the public material events that could affect its business model and geopolitical exposure. This includes the revelation that Musk personally wields control over a foreign country’s military communications, which could require disclosure of elevated risks for corporate governance and potential adverse actions by foreign governments. Since mid-October, Starshield, the militarized version of Starlink, has operated at limited capacity. This reduction in service hinders Kyiv’s ability to defend from deadly Russian jet-powered drones and coordinate strikes against Russian targets. Last month, more than 300 Ukrainian civilians died and 2,000 were injured by Russian drone and missile strikes. I find Musk’s control over these communications an unacceptable risk.
| System Detail | Current Status or Limit |
|---|---|
| Starshield capacity | Operating at limited capacity since mid-October |
| Speed restriction | Capped at 160 kilometers per hour |
| Response deadline | October 31 |
Political pressure and ongoing disruptions
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on October 23 that issues with Starlink continue to plague Ukrainian forces, stating that the speed restrictions for Starlink and Starshield are still in effect and the supply of interceptor missiles remains delayed. On October 21, Trump ordered SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to lift the restrictions because he was frustrated the system’s speeds remained capped at around 160 kilometers per hour. Trump told reporters he has not spoken to Musk about the issue but might do so if the problems persist. "I have not spoken to him," Trump said. "I might have to, but I have not… I’ve heard it’s fixed. If it’s not, I will speak to him…. If there’s a problem, I will get it straightened out." Senator Richard Blumenthal also announced he is opening a probe into the Starlink disruption to ask the Pentagon to clarify who ordered the restrictions and provide information on the U.S. military’s own reliance on Starlink.
