Posted on 02/27/2025 11:07:13 AM PST by Red Badger
Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service could take over a Federal Aviation Administration contract to upgrade the nation's air traffic control systems, The Associated Press reported.
Starlink's internet equipment has already been installed in at least two different FAA facilities, according to the wire service, which cited government employees and other people familiar with the matter. Starlink is also preparing to take over a $2 billion contract currently held by telecom provider Verizon, the AP said.
Starlink, which is owned by Musk's SpaceX, provides satellite internet access for residential and business customers. It bills itself as the most "advanced internet system," providing access to users in remote locations. The FAA currently relies on Verizon to power its air traffic control system, which monitors more than 45,000 flights and 2.9 million airline passengers per day.
Musk this week criticized the FAA's air traffic control network, writing on X that the "Verizon system is not working and so is putting air travelers at serious risk."
Verizon did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch's request for comment on Musk's claim or the status of its contract with the FAA.
On Monday, the FAA said on X that it "has been considering the use of Starlink since the prior administration to increase reliability at remote sites, including in Alaska." The agency also said it is testing one Starlink terminal at the FAA's facility in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and at two terminals at "non-safety critical sites" in Alaska.
Bloomberg News reported on Monday that Musk last week approved 4,000 Starlink terminals to be shipped to the FAA for testing, citing a person familiar with the matter.
The FAA told CBS News that "no decisions have been made" about a long-term contract to upgrade its air traffic control systems.
Representatives for Musk didn't respond to a request for comment.
Potential conflict Lawmakers and experts on government contracts have expressed concern about potential conflicts of interest for Musk, who is spearheading the Trump administration's effort to slash federal funding even as companies like SpaceX do business with the government.
Jessica Tillipman, associate dean for government procurement law studies at The George Washington University Law School, noted that federal regulations prohibit government contractors from having conflicts of interest, and warn even against the mere appearance of such conflicts.
Scott Amey, general counsel for the Project on Government Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog focused on reducing government corruption, told CBS MoneyWatch that Musk's close relationship with President Trump could amount to a conflict of interest.
"You do worry if there is pressure from the top, even from the president himself, to favor his system over the existing system," Amey said. "People could be afraid to lose their jobs and will do whatever they can to please Elon Musk."
Such contracting decisions should be made "by career civil servants doing what is in the best interest of taxpayers," he added.
Some Democratic lawmakers said the FAA moving to adopt Starlink's technology raises potential ethical concerns.
"How much richer will Elon get with an FAA contract to another one of his companies? My ELON MUSK Act would stop this blatant corruption," Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat from Wisconsin, wrote on X on Tuesday, referring to proposed legislation that would direct federal agencies to end any contracts held by a special government employee, similar to bans that apply to members of Congress and other federal employees.
Since they totally ignored all the massive corruption of the Biden era, anything they say now about ‘ethics’ is just pissing in the wind...............
Well, just like they can start launching their own satellites and rescuing their own astronauts, I guess the gummint can start trenching in fiber between every city with an airport then...
GMTA!....................
Hey CBS News, talk to me about your concern for “ethics” in Ukraine with the thief Zelensky and all his offshore accounts filled with US taxpayer dollars. The Zelensky who will not allow Ukrainians a chance to vote for his opponent who has promised to jail the hell out of him, if elected. Eight million Ukrainians have left. He has had killed as many as 4 million Ukrainian males in a hopelessly mismatched conflict. Ukrainians have lost their homes and their properties, their sons and their husbands. They hate him. Hey CBS News, I’m listening to your silence.
ONLY a liberal Moron would raise the question of “ethics” when it comes to plane crash survival. dei leads people to DIE when planes, trains and automobiles are involved.
+1.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
If no one saw this coming, well then idk what to say.
That’s good business.
CBS pretends to worry about ethical concerns????
What HUGE HYPOCRITES!!!
From Elon:
To be clear here, the Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly.
The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure, putting air traveler safety at serious risk.
.....
Single digit months till catastrophic failure.
What say Verizon?
Can we hear from them now?
Can’t say I am an expert but is there any other company that can provide as good a service for a better /as good a price as SpaceX?
Not yet.....................
Who could have predicted this?
Anyone who was paying attention.
At no cost? For a time he said, not forever.
‘ Elon is providing these for free.’
BS. Not forever. Why in the hell would you give it away for free?
Don’t be naive.
IF I AM FLYING-—I WANT THE BEST SUPPORT SYSTEM AVAILABLE.
IF MUSK CAN PROVIDE THAT-— HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO.
IF IT IS BEING HANDLED AT “COST”???
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
NO ONE ELSE HAS ANYTHING DIFFERENT & RELIABLE.
Typical left wing crap. The only “concerns” are you commies getting your panties in a wad.
‘ As long as he’s not signing the contracts, there should be no ethical concerns.’
lol.
Mr President. This sucks. I have a solution. It’s my company. But Lisa is signing the contract. Free for first 6 months, then once established another huge government contract for another one of my companies.
HUGE ethical problem. It couldn’t be more obvious.
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