Pentagon Teams Up With SpaceX to Block Russia From Using Starlink
Source: Bloomberg
May 9, 2024 at 12:01 PM EDT
Pentagon officials working with Elon Musks SpaceX have blunted the Russian militarys unauthorized use of Starlink internet terminals on the battlefield in its war with Ukraine, according to the Defense Departments space policy chief. The US has been heavily involved in working with the government of Ukraine and SpaceX to counter Russian illicit use of Starlink terminals, John Plumb, the outgoing assistant secretary for space policy, said in an interview.
At this time we have successfully countered Russian use, but I am certain Russia will continue to try and find ways to exploit Starlink and other commercial communications systems, he told Bloomberg News. Although it will continue to be a problem, I think weve wrapped our heads around it and found good solutions with both Starlink and Ukraine.
Plumb declined to elaborate on what tactics, techniques or procedures are being used to stem Russias use of the highly portable communications terminals that connect to SpaceXs fleet of low-orbiting satellites. Ukrainian government officials had no immediate comment.
Starlink terminals continue to be advertised for sale in Russia on platforms such as e-commerce site Ozon. Their sellers say they function through subscriptions taken out in the name of residents of European countries where the technology is licensed, and they say that connections work not within Russias heartlands but near border regions such as Ukraines occupied territories.
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-09/russia-starlink-access-blocked-by-pentagon-spacex-ukraine
No paywall (gift)
intrepidity
(7,480 posts)Lovie777
(12,597 posts)Musk to my understanding gave Russia his blessing.
GregariousGroundhog
(7,536 posts)Analyze the latitude and logitude of where the data is coming from, and if that lat/long is inside a geofenced location, deny access.