Musk's Starlink gets FAA contract, raising new conflict of interest concerns

[Native]

Source: CNN

By Chris Isidore, CNN
3 minute read
Published 8:30 AM EST, Tue February 25, 2025
—
The Federal Aviation Administration has agreed to use SpaceX’s Starlink internet system to upgrade the information technology networks it uses to manage US airspace, raising new concerns about conflicts of interest for CEO Elon Musk in one of his other roles, that of recommending funding cuts at federal agencies, including the FAA.

The size of this contract was not immediately reported. SpaceX is a privately held space technology company greatly dependent on federal contracts, primarily from NASA. Its Starlink satellite internet provides service for government and private customers around the world.

The FAA in a post on Musk’s social media platform X disclosed Monday night that it is testing one Starlink terminal at its Atlantic City, New Jersey, facility, and two in what it called “non-safety critical sites” in Alaska.

The FAA’s use of Starlink was first reported by Bloomberg. That report said it would eventually include 4,000 Starlink terminals and be deployed over the next 12 to 18 months.

Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/25/business/musk-faa-starlink-contract/index.html

[groundloop]

1. Damn, I need to write another letter to my GOPer Congress Critters.

It's utter bullshit that ANY government agency awards contracts to Musk while he's wielding his tRump anointed power to make funding decisions.

[IronLionZion]

2. Here's some fraud, waste, and abuse

More projecting as always.

[yellow dahlia]

10. Seriously!!!?

I said months ago - The Kleptocracy WIll Be Televised. It sure is.

[IronLionZion]

11. They brag about it openly and laugh at their idiot supporters who enable this

[City Lights]

3. Disgusting.

Every day we wake up to more corruption.

[mwooldri]

4. I see three things we need to do here.

1. Nationalize Starlink .
2. Nationalize SpaceX and absorb it into NASA.
3. Do something with that South African-American.

[bdamomma]

13. #3

needs to have his American status (if he does have it, to be revoked)

[Initech]

14. Shooting him into space on one of his shitty rockets would be a great start!

And make it a one way trip!

[groundloop]

5. It looks like Musk is muscling in on a 2023 contract awarded to Verizon

Verizon was awarded a contract in 2023 to upgrade the FAA's IT structure in 2023. Now all of a sudden, without any evidence, Musk claims the Verizon system is failing and poses a risk to travelers. AND now magically Musk sells Starlink to the FAA.

[sheshe2]

6. Well of course he did.

[Bayard]

7. Backing trump has turned into a very good investment for Musk.

[ToxMarz]

8. I imagine he will start on the FCC soon

I saw an ad on TV yeterday for T-Mobile / Starlink sevice. UGH!

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/02/t-mobile-expands-starlink-texting-service-to-cover-verizon-and-att-users/

https://www.phonearena.com/news/t-mobile-starlink-reddit-discussion_id167920

[republianmushroom]

9. No one is above the law. chuckle chuckle

[mdbl]

12. They need to cut those jobs

They aren't necessary, right Mr Skum?