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Setback for Ukraine: SpaceX restricts military use of satellites. Why Elon Musk is withdrawing his protective hand.
Starlink satellites may have saved Ukraine. At least they were of great help in the war against Russia. But now the company of US billionaire Elon Musk wants it military use definitively limit. It’s the preliminary one endpoint of alienation.
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Musk, who stood by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the start of the Russian invasion, has been distancing himself from the government in Kyiv for months. What’s behind it? Is it money or politics? How hard does the technical, financial and political hit “Love Withdrawal” Ukraine? The most important questions at a glance:
What is Starlink and how does it work?
A commercial one satellite network, which ensures Internet use – global, fast, easy to install. You need a terminal with an antenna. There are about 3,500 Starlink satellites in orbit at an altitude of about 550 kilometers, which is relatively low.
How much does Ukraine depend on Musk’s space company SpaceX?
Ukraine had three advantages. First of all, the telecommunications and energy infrastructure stay online could – despite the Russian air raids. Secondly, the satellites were also militarily advantageous in the Ukraine war: they could be used to control drones and other weapon systems. Third, Musk has long sponsored the service. military aid for free.
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How important are Musk’s satellites to Ukraine?
In an ntv interview, military expert Franz-Stefan Gady from the London Institute for International Strategic Studies (IISS) called Starlink a “lifeline for quick Ukrainian counterattacks”. The satellite units made it possible to reconnoiter the battlefield very quickly and to coordinate various elements and units with each other. They are enormously important for artillery target acquisition.
How do the military use Starlink in battle?
Drones monitor Russian positions and stream their videos live to Artillery Command Post, who may fire at a target. “The process takes just a few minutes,” says military expert Gady. “Without the Internet, without a mobile network, it would take much longer.”
Did Musk just shut down the service?
This can be concluded from the fact that the Ukrainian soldiers have had increasing problems with the system recently. Their suspicion that SpaceX has already restricted military use of the internet has been indirectly confirmed. “There are things we can do and have done,” said SpaceX President Gwynne Shorwell. The supply of the network is “never intended for use with weapons” been, she explained to the “Wall Street Journal”.
How can the Ukrainians help each other out?
In the short term: not at all. However, other systems have long been used at least as a back-up. And it is probably no coincidence that the United States has promised Ukraine more and better in the past few days coordination of attacks to help. In plain language: With military satellites.
Why did Musk shut down actual military aid?
Let’s take a look at the terms of use. It states that Starlink is not designed or intended for use with offensive or defensive weapons or other comparable end uses. Manager Shorwell makes it clear, “You bid a commercial product to connect peoplewhich is helpful in conflicts, but one also has to be careful how it is used”.
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Is Musk about money or is he under pressure?
The fact is that Russia had threatened to target commercial satellites used in the war. It is also a fact that Musk had already complained in October that his commitment was too expensive for him. We were talking about $20 million a month. Even then, the company wrote to the US Department of Defense that it was unable to donate more terminals to Ukraine. According to Musk, there are around 25,000 terminals in Ukraine for using his satellites. At the time, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy asked via Twitter whose side Musk was on. He replied that he “still supports Ukraine very much” but fears a “massive escalation”.
Is the billionaire angry because Ukraine doesn’t take his “peace plan” seriously?
Another motive could be added to Musk’s economic calculations. Musk doubts Ukraine will win. Russia has three times as many inhabitants as Ukraine. “Therefore a Victory of Ukraine in all-out war unlikelyHe tweeted. The billionaire has called for Ukraine not to join NATO, Russia to cede Crimea, hold a referendum in Donbass under UN supervision and negotiate with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin because she rejects his “peace plan”?
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