The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a contract to SpaceX’s Starlink internet system to upgrade the information technology networks used to manage U.S. airspace.
The move has raised fresh concerns over potential conflicts of interest involving SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who also serves in the Trump administration as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), where he has advocated for deep cuts in federal spending, including at the FAA.
The financial details of the contract have not been disclosed. SpaceX, a private space technology company, relies heavily on government contracts, particularly from NASA. Starlink’s satellite internet service is used by both government and private entities worldwide.
The FAA acknowledged the partnership in a post on X, Musk’s social media platform, on Monday night. It confirmed that a Starlink terminal is being tested at its Atlantic City, New Jersey, facility, with two others placed at “non-safety critical sites” in Alaska.
“Alaska has long had issues with reliable weather information for the aviation community,” the FAA stated, citing the 2024 FAA reauthorization, which mandated improved telecommunications connections.
According to Bloomberg, the agreement will eventually involve the deployment of 4,000 Starlink terminals over the next 12 to 18 months.
The FAA’s aging computer and communication systems have long been a concern, with a December report by the Government Accountability Office warning that “urgent FAA actions are needed to modernize aging systems.”
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Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, referenced the recent fatal crash involving a military helicopter and a regional jet near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport when announcing his discussions with Musk on the future of U.S. airspace management. “He’s going to help the FAA ‘remake our airspace’ and ‘do it quickly,’” Duffy stated.
The FAA already has a contract with Verizon to enhance its IT networks, but Musk has publicly criticized the system, claiming it endangers passengers. “The Verizon system is not working and so is putting air travelers at serious risk,” Musk posted on X Monday.
Musk’s extensive business empire, which includes SpaceX, Tesla, and other ventures, falls under the regulatory purview of multiple federal agencies, including the FAA, NASA, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board.
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