Pentagon inspector general declined to investigate disruptions to Ukraine’s Starlink and Starshield services.
Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, said Starlink was throttled because Ukraine broke terms and that the U.S. government directed Starshield changes.
Platte Moring III called it a contractual dispute for Air Force and Space Force.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis asked the inspector general to probe the slowdown.
Blindspot
Elon Musk said SpaceX throttled Starlink in Ukraine because Ukraine violated the service’s terms, and that the Starshield changes were directed by the U.S. government.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Left-leaning coverage.
History
After Iridium Communications launched its 66-satellite network on 1 Nov 1998, weak subscriber demand and high costs drove the company into Chapter 11 bankruptcy on 13 Aug 1999, creating a satellite-service crisis. Today the Pentagon inspector-general declines to investigate SpaceX’s Starlink throttling, echoing the 1999 reluctance and raising fears of similar potential service gaps for allies.
1 of 4
Bipartisan probe demand
The Pentagon’s inspector general refused to investigate reported disruptions to Ukraine’s Starlink and Starshield satellite internet services.
Lawmakers said the slowdown threatens Ukrainian civilians and called for independent accountability.
Nine bipartisan senators, including Republican Thom Tillis and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, requested an immediate probe.
Inspector General Platte Moring said the issue belongs to the Air Force and Space Force.
