The Federal Aviation Administration is now testing the utilization of SpaceX Starlink satellite internet terminals within the national airspace system, following Verizon’s $2 billion contract awarded nearly two years ago for similar work.
Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, criticized Verizon’s system on his social media platform X, stating that it is not functioning properly and posing a serious risk to air travelers.
Verizon has not yet provided a response to these claims.
This development, as reported by Bloomberg, coincides with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s announcement that Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” will play a role in upgrading the air traffic control system.
The FAA released a statement on Monday addressing the long-standing issue of reliable weather information in Alaska for the aviation community. The statement mentioned the FAA’s consideration of Starlink since the previous administration to enhance reliability at remote sites, particularly in Alaska, as mandated by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization.
Currently, the FAA is conducting testing with one terminal in Atlantic City and two terminals in non-safety critical locations in Alaska.
Musk and his team at DOGE have been actively engaging with federal agencies to improve efficiency, with a focus on agencies regulating Musk’s companies like SpaceX and Tesla. President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in Musk’s ability to self-regulate any potential conflicts of interest.
