Elon Musk’s Starlink has growing footprint in federal government
The use of Starlink has been adopted by at least one additional federal agency since Donald Trump began his second presidential term.
Starlink, the satellite internet service controlled by billionaire Elon Musk and his rocket company SpaceX, is expanding its footprint in the federal government weeks after the billionaire began slashing the federal workforce and agency budgets under President Donald Trump’s direction.
Multiple federal agencies are exploring the idea of adopting SpaceX’s Starlink for internet access — and at least one agency, the General Services Administration (GSA), has done so at the request of Musk’s staff, according to someone who worked at the GSA last month and is familiar with its network operations — despite a vow by Musk and Trump to slash the overall federal budget.
Starlink’s expansion is sparking outcry among congressional Democrats because of Musk’s dual positions: He is the founder and CEO of SpaceX, which owns Starlink, and a senior adviser to Trump with an expansive portfolio across the government. As a shareholder in SpaceX, he could gain financially if Starlink is granted additional business.
A Starlink satellite dish.NBC NewsStarlink, which routes internet traffic through low-orbit satellites, has gained popularity in rural areas and disaster zones because it doesn’t require fiber cables or cellular towers. Users say the Starlink terminals have real advantages in terms of how easy they are to set up and how mobile they are. One downside, though, is that Starlink satellites have an expected lifespan of five years, so the company must replenish them.
The growth of Starlink has also given Musk unusual influence in the U.S. and abroad, as he can unilaterally decide to deploy or withhold internet service during moments of disaster, war or other crises.
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