Introduction to FAA Testing

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated testing of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet terminals within the national airspace system. This development comes nearly two years after Verizon secured a $2 billion contract for similar services.

Criticism of Verizon’s System

Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, expressed concerns on his social media platform X, stating that Verizon’s system is not functioning properly and thereby poses a significant risk to air travelers. A spokesperson for Verizon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Background and Recent Developments

This news, first reported by Bloomberg, emerges just a few weeks after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that Elon Musk and his "Department of Government Efficiency" would be involved in upgrading the air traffic control system. The FAA has acknowledged that Alaska has historically struggled with accessing reliable weather information for the aviation community.

FAA Statement and Testing

In a statement released on Monday, the FAA explained that the 2024 FAA Reauthorization requested improvements to telecommunications connections to address these needs. As a result, the FAA has been considering the use of Starlink since the previous administration to enhance reliability at remote sites, including those in Alaska. The agency confirmed that it is currently testing one terminal at its facility in Atlantic City and two terminals at non-safety critical sites in Alaska.

Elon Musk’s Involvement

Over the past month, Elon Musk has been working to reform the inner workings of the federal government, assisted by a team of workers from his companies, including SpaceX and Tesla. This team, known as DOGE, has gained access to multiple federal agencies that regulate Musk’s businesses, including some that are currently investigating these companies.

Conflict of Interest Concerns

President Donald Trump has stated that Musk will self-regulate any potential conflicts of interest, implying that no external agency or individual will assess whether Musk is personally benefiting from this access and influence. This situation raises important questions about the management of conflicts of interest and the oversight of Musk’s activities within the federal government.