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Elon Musk has rejected calls by ex-NASA astronaut Scott Kelly to ramp up his Starlink internet system over Ukraine to aid the armed forces.
Kelly tweeted Musk on Saturday saying: ‘Ukraine desperately needs your continued support. Defense from a genocidal invasion is not an offensive capability. It’s survival. Innocent lives will be lost. You can help. Thank you.’
It came after Musk’s company restricted Ukraine’s military access to Starlink, in particular it being used to control grenade-carrying drones.
Musk was quick to respond to Kelly, on Sunday defending his wariness to the increase coverage any further in the country.
‘You’re smart enough not to fall for media and other propaganda. Starlink is the main source of communication for Ukraine, especially at the front lines where almost all other internet connections have been lost.
‘However, we will not contribute to escalation of conflict that could lead to World War III,’ he wrote.
Musk defended the decision, saying SpaceX would not contribute to escalating the conflict, which could lead to World War III
Ex-NASA astronaut Scott Kelly has called on Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, to expand his Starlink internet service in Ukraine
Kelly made the plea on Twitter, urging Musk to help Ukraine defend itself from a potential genocidal invasion, after SpaceX limited military access to Starlink
Last week, Gwynne Shotwell, the President of SpaceX, announced the company was limiting Ukraine’s use of Starlink for military purposes, explaining the high-speed broadband was not designed for offensive or military operations.
Shotwell stated the service could be used for typical communications and humanitarian efforts, such as connecting families and hospitals.
The service had enabled Ukrainians to benefit from uninterrupted, independent and secure internet access, while Russia had destroyed the country’s telecommunications infrastructure, but Starlink satellites also became the only means of communication for the Ukrainian armed forces on the frontlines.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, praised Starlink last October
Starlink terminals are small, portable, have low power requirements and are almost impossible for Russia to jam – providing Ukraine with an ideal communications network
Drones used in the field are able to use the newly available Starlink to keep connected and provide intelligence as internet and power outages plague Ukraine
In particular, Starlink satellites have helped Ukrainian military drones carrying anti-tank grenades destroy Russian tanks and army trucks.
‘Over 100 cruise missiles attacked energy and communications infrastructure,’ Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, said last October.
‘But with Starlink we quickly restored the connection in critical areas. Starlink continues to be an essential part of critical infrastructure.’
One month earlier, in September, Musk also tweeted that Starlink was meant for peaceful use only and the terms of use specify that the internet connections were not to be used for military activities.
Last September, Musk also tweeted that Starlink was meant for peaceful uses only
Last month, Musk eplained that he was restricting Starlink’s use on Ukrainian drones
In fact, Starlink’s terms of service document clearly states, ‘Starlink is not designed or intended for use with or in offensive or defensive weaponry or other comparable end-uses.’
Musk has now placed a limit on the use of Starlink antennas by the Ukrainian armed forces with SpaceX taking steps to ensure that Starlink antennas are not used to run Ukrainian drones.
‘A year of resistance & companies have to decide: either they are on the side of & the right to freedom, and don’t seek ways to do harm.
‘Or they are on RF’s side & its ‘right’ to kill & seize territories. #SpaceX (Starlink) & Mrs. #Shotwell should choose a specific option,’ Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted at Shotwell on February 9.
But Musk’s position appears clear and firm for now, with SpaceX keeping in place restrictions to prevent the Ukrainian military’s use of Starlink for controlling drones used in the conflict nearing its one year anniversary.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky asked SpaceX to choose sides in the war
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