Pentagon IG refuses to investigate Starlink/Starshield slowdown in Ukraine
Summary
The Pentagon inspector general declined a bipartisan request to investigate reported restrictions on Ukraine’s use of SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield satellite services. Inspector General Platte Moring said the questions should go to the Air Force and Space Force, while senators also asked about reported intelligence-sharing disruptions and whether they were connected to the satellite problems.Key Facts
- Ukraine said military drones lost satellite connectivity when traveling faster than 161 kilometers per hour (100 miles per hour).
- The reported speed restriction was removed after about 10 days.
- Five Democratic and four Republican senators asked the Defense Department inspector general on October 15 to investigate the reported disruptions.
- The senators asked whether SpaceX or government entities directed, authorized, or implemented restrictions, and whether the restrictions complied with government contracts.
- Moring said the Air Force and Space Force were better suited to address the senators’ questions and coordinate responses.
- The inspector general’s office said it might reconsider if new information comes to light.
- The senators also asked whether reported interruptions to intelligence sharing were connected to the Starlink restrictions.
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