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.
CBS will bitch about Musk no matter what.
They are not reporting any of the corruptions that Biden cronies did.
They are not reporting any of the corruption DOGE has found at all, not even a single dollar.
All they report is anything they can twist around to make Trump look like a criminal or incompetent...................
I think your government payment for forum disruption has been suspended. You better check.
I did not see a time line on the terminals.
‘ I think your government payment for forum disruption has been suspended. You better check.’
Who pays you to blindly cheerlead obvious conflicts of interest?
Had a democratic president brought in Bill Gates to determine whether the computer systems were efficient and he recommended his own company should take over the operation, this site would be losing their sh%t.
There is none specified.
It’s a way of getting in the door. He said no cost at this time.
Why would a company give away their services for free to anyone forever?
Seriously?
You really think they dont know the actual truth?
See B S
I think you answered your own question.
hp’s stratigery with printers and ink.
Thanks for posting.
‘ I think you answered your own question.’
I think you are ,asking no sense.
These mad liberals must have never heard of Harry Hopkins. He was essential to FDR, lived in the WH. Unelected. Study some history and keep emotions out of it.
Know what is ironic about this? Musk’s Starlink will not work without connections to the global terrestrial internet server infrastructure. It is completely dependent on the traditional terrestrial servers. Without it Starlink is worthless.
Without the terrestrial internet there would not be any data for Starlink to transfer to their customers. Starlink is just an access link point to the rest of the internet infrastructure.
Starlink’s uplinks do not create it’s own internet... If they shut off Starlink access, Starlink is dead...
He's chewing this Elon bone pretty hard.
Lots of growling over it. What a clown!
No Worries! Just wait for Amazon and Blue Origin to set up their Kuiper Internet Satellite Constellation. Blue Origin and SpaceX started around the same time. There are thousands of StarLink satellites in orbit. Kuiper keeps promising to do.....something.
His voluntary service to our country seems a fair trade for buying and using his technology if it is the best available for the job.
But since he’s providing it for free, there is zero reason to say no. No conflict.
Who else has an interlinked satellite internet with 6,718 satellites in orbit?
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