Published , by TJ Denzer
Published , by TJ Denzer
In a charitable act, Elon Musk’s SpaceX company has been providing Starlink equipment and internet service to the nation of Ukraine for free for a significant part of 2022. This is happening as Ukraine remains embroiled in a intense conflict with Russia. SpaceX supported Ukraine with its services even as Russia destroyed traditional mobile phone and internet infrastructure in the country. However, it seems SpaceX may be unable to foot the bill on free Starlink service in Ukraine for much longer and has asked the US military for assistance in the matter.
Word of SpaceX’s warning on discontinuation of free Starlink service in Ukraine was shared via a report from CNN. According to said report, documents were obtained showing that Elon Musk’s SpaceX company sent a letter to the US Pentagon asking for monetary assistance in its support efforts for Ukraine. It was earlier this year alongside launching vehicle internet support that SpaceX provided around 20,000 Starlink satellite units to Ukraine, along with supporting the nation with free service, which has been a huge boon to the Ukraine military and civilians who have lost communications infrastructure due to the Russian invasion.
Unfortunately, the cost of continuing to offer Starlink service to the Ukraine region for free is becoming too much for SpaceX. Elon Musk stated that as a communications service, it is extremely difficult to stay afloat.
“Starlink is still losing money! It is insanely difficult for a LEO communications constellation to avoid bankruptcy – that was the fate of every company that tried this before,” Musk said on Twitter. “When asked what the goal of Starlink was at a space conference, I said ‘not go bankrupt’.”
It can also be said that maintaining friendly relations with Ukraine is proving difficult for Musk and SpaceX. CNN's report of discontinued free Starlink service in Ukraine came a few days after a Ukraine ambassador shared contempt for Musk.
That said, the letter being sent to the US Pentagon in September suggests that issues between Musk and the Ukraine ambassador and the discontinuation of Starlink service in Ukraine are likely unrelated. What happens next seems to be in the US military’s ballpark. SpaceX is asking for Pentagon to provide tens of millions of dollars to send further Starlink units too Ukraine and continue service. Time will tell if the US military is willing to help foot that bill.