Elon Musk’s Starlink provides lifeline in Ukraine

Elon Musk’s Space X is known for launching rockets into space, but on the ground, the company has been providing a lifeline to the people in Ukraine. Starlink is keeping Ukrainians informed and helping soldiers stay connected using its high-speed broadband internet service. The company’s low orbit satellites can provide users with internet access anywhere around the globe.

It started with this tweet from the Ukraine Vice Prime Minister Fedorov Mykhalio pleading for Musk’s help.

@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.

— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 26, 2022

Hours later, Elon Musk responded with well-received news.

Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022

Starlink is now the most downloaded app in Ukraine, according to Forbes.

While it’s providing much-needed communications assistance to the people of Ukraine, it does not come without controversy. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, NASA raised concerns Starlink could present risks to manned and unmanned space flights and interfere with in-orbit and ground-based telescopes. The agency also questioned Starlink satellites’ auto-maneuvering capabilities. 

Despite those concerns, the service has proved effective, according to Ukrainians who have used the service, and received praise from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who met with Musk over Zoom.

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