Pentagon Declines Probe into Starlink/Starshield Restrictions in Ukraine
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The Pentagon inspector general's office has declined to investigate restrictions on Ukraine's military use of SpaceX's satellite network, Starlink and Starshield. The decision comes after a group of US senators requested a probe into reported disruptions of the satellite services in Ukraine.
Ukraine's military reported that drones lost satellite connectivity when traveling above 161 kilometers per hour. This restriction was in place for about 10 days before being removed. The issue affected the military's use of both Starlink, the civilian service, and Starshield, the military version of the satellite network.
On October 15, nine US senators, five Democrats and four Republicans, sent a letter to the Department of Defense Inspector General Platte Moring. The letter requested an investigation into the reported disruptions and sought to determine whether any restrictions on Starlink or Starshield services were directed, authorized, or implemented by SpaceX, the Department of Defense, or other US government entities. The senators also asked if such restrictions were consistent with applicable US government contracts, and what actions, if any, the Department of Defense took in response.
The Pentagon inspector general's office has not provided a reason for declining the investigation. The office's decision means that the reported disruptions and the circumstances surrounding them will not be formally investigated by the Pentagon.
