SpaceX, the satellite-internet business founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has come under fire at the United Nations over its provision of services to the Ukrainian military. Russian and Chinese delegates at the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats session accused SpaceX of using its Starlink technology to assist the Ukrainian military in their armed conflict against Russia. The head of the Russian delegation, Konstantin Vorontosov, specifically claimed that the Starlink communications terminals in Ukraine were being used to guide drones and adjust the trajectory of artillery shells.
In response, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell announced the company’s intention to limit Starlink services for the Ukrainian military. Iran’s delegation also voiced concerns about Starlink, alleging that SpaceX was illegally providing internet services to the Iranian population and violating the country’s sovereignty.
These developments at the UN meeting demonstrate the growing tension between Western and Eastern nations in the realm of space cooperation, as American initiatives garner more support while rivals raise objections. The Russian and Chinese delegations accused the US and NATO countries of being involved in the conflict on the side of Ukraine and posing a direct threat to Russia’s national security through their use of commercial satellite firms as proxies.
The situation raises questions about Elon Musk’s company and its role in international affairs while it starts to appease interests of Iran, Russia and China.
