Nandini Roy Choudhury, writer
Brief news
- The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) has formally objected to SpaceX’s plan to launch 22,488 satellites, citing concerns over the potential use of Starlink by Russian forces and CEO Elon Musk’s alleged connections to Russia.
- The UCCA’s petition to the FCC also highlights potential conflicts of interest for Musk due to his involvement with the incoming Trump administration and environmental concerns related to SpaceX launches in Texas.
- The organization emphasizes the need for an investigation into Musk’s actions and their implications for national security, particularly regarding the use of Starlink in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Detailed news
A Ukrainian-American nonprofit organization has submitted a formal objection to SpaceX’s intention to launch an additional 22,488 satellites into low-earth orbit. The organization is concerned about the alleged use of SpaceX’s Starlink system by Russian forces in Ukraine and the contacts between CEO Elon Musk and Russia.
In a petition to deny and motion for stay submitted to the Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) also referenced the potential conflicts of interest that Musk may have due to his involvement with the incoming Trump administration and the adverse environmental effects of SpaceX launches in Texas.
Since the arrival of terminals in Ukraine shortly after Russian troops invaded the neighboring country in early 2022, SpaceX’s Starlink system has been connected to Ukraine. In the subsequent year, the Pentagon consented to the acquisition of Starlink satellite internet terminals for the purpose of supporting Ukraine’s ongoing defense against Russia.
Nevertheless, in September 2023, Americans of Ukrainian descent criticized the SpaceX CEO for successfully preventing a significant attack on the Russian navy. Musk stated at the time that he had instructed his engineers not to activate SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network over Crimea in order to avert a planned attack by Ukraine on the Black Sea fleet in 2022.
Michael Sawkiw, Jr., President of the UCCA, stated to CNBC that the group’s decision to submit a petition and motion to the FCC this week is necessary in order to ascertain whether Starlink has been utilized to assist a foreign adversary. “If so, this is not in the national security interest of the entire country or of Ukrainian-Americans.”
The UCCA is not the sole organization that is apprehensive about Musk’s connections to the Kremlin.
In October, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had participated in a series of “secret conversations” with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the months preceding the 2024 presidential election. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and members of Congress have requested an inquiry into the contacts in question.
Russia had installed Starlink terminals in its Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which were employed in their military offensive in Ukraine, just one month prior to the Journal article, according to Newsweek and other publications. Starlink did not respond to the story. However, Musk stated in a social media post in February of the previous year that news reports alleging that Starlink was selling terminals to Russia were “categorically false” and that “to the best of our knowledge, no Starlinks have been sold directly or indirectly to Russia.”
Sawkiw stated that his organization promotes issues that are of interest to the approximately 2 million Americans of Ukrainian descent who currently reside in the United States. A significant number of these individuals arrived in the country after the conflict commenced in February 2022..
The company would be able to provide internet services to a greater number of destinations worldwide as part of its Gen2 NGSO Satellite System, which is supported by the Starlink satellites mentioned in the petition.
Tim Hughes, senior vice president for global business and government affairs, and Musk declined to respond to inquiries for comment.
Potential conflicts of interest
In the event that Sawkiw’s group prevails on legal grounds, the FCC may be compelled to suspend SpaceX’s approvals in order to facilitate an environmental review and the development of a strategy to address any conflicts of interest that may arise from Musk’s new position with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
DOGE is anticipated to serve as a federal advisory committee that will have a significant impact on government expenditure, regulations, and personnel. The committee has the potential to recommend significant changes at the FCC and influence the oversight of SpaceX and other Musk-led companies.
In the petition, UCCA stated that Musk’s conflicts encompass a wide range of issues, including financial and objectivity. “His organizations are poised to capitalize on government contracts and federal government initiatives, including those implemented by the FCC.” Placing Musk at the helm of DOGE is akin to permitting a vixen to supervise the henhouse.
The motion requests that the FCC ascertain how Musk will adhere to the Federal Advisory Committee Act in light of his involvement with DOGE before approving any additional SpaceX requests.
In his filings to the FCC, Arthur Belendiuk, the lead regulatory counsel for UCCA, stated that the SpaceX launch facility in Boca Chica, Texas is a biologically diverse and essential habitat area for numerous species, including wildlife protected under the Endangered Species Act, in relation to environmental concerns. He further stated that “the real risk of fire and debris being ejected onto adjacent environmentally protected lands is created by rocket launches in this area,” citing prior incidents.
Musk wrote in a July post on X, “To make up for this heinous crime, I will refrain from having omelette for a week,” following reports that vibrations and noise from SpaceX launches resulted in the destruction of nine nests of an endangered bird species in the area.
Belendiuk stated in the petition that Musk “responds to the legitimate concerns of local environmental groups with sarcasm and mockery” instead of addressing the damage caused by SpaceX launches.
The UCCA had submitted comments in April against SpaceX in a separate FCC proceeding that focused on the company’s request to access additional spectrum for its Starlink network.
At the time, Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr stated that the group’s comments were “procedurally improper and substantively meritless,” and that it effectively desired for “the government to break the law by weaponizing it” against Musk.
Carr has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the FCC’s chief executive during his second term. A request for comment was not responded to by Carr’s office.
The group’s “focus is not solely on Musk or SpaceX,” Belendiuk stated in an interview with CNBC.
The group has taken legal action to remove Radio Sputnik, which broadcasts Russian government propaganda, from the public frequencies in the United States, according to Beledniuk. Additionally, the group is “actively engaged in discussions” with chipmakers whose sanctioned products have been discovered in Russian weapons systems.
Source : CNBC news
