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Russia's Starlink use sparks probe into SpaceX compliance with US sanctions

• A_D_E_P_T 3y ago
  > Musk has also stated that "Starlink satellites will not close the link in Russia." However, the concerns raised by Rankin and Garcia are about whether Russia used the broadband service in Ukraine. Can SpaceX even tell whether it's Russians or Ukrainians using its devices in conflict zones around the front? If so, I'm not sure I see how. Also, this could be a very effective psyop to get Starlink shut down around hot spots at the front.
  • toomuchtodo 3y ago
    Terminals report their location. DoD has authority over part of the constellation. SpaceX has this info. Geofencing terminals is a native capability.
    • inemesitaffia 3y ago
      That's not how geofencing works on starlink. And there's GPS jamming on the battlefield
    • A_D_E_P_T 3y ago
      Right, but the line of contact is very fluid. As things stand, the Russians today could be occupying territory that was held by Ukrainians yesterday. Unless the geofencing is very adaptive, perhaps unreasonably adaptive, I imagine it is unlikely to update quickly enough.
  • rasz 3y ago
    Ukrainian terminals on the front are all operated by Ukrainian military. Its not rocket science, not that this should somehow stop SpaceX :P, to block everything not on official AFU list of serial numbers registered in military assets database. Doesnt matter if terminal was donated by Poland (I think over half of 40K in current use), or imported privately from Latvia using donated funds, all units should be registered with AFU.
    • inemesitaffia 3y ago
      This registration and list are actions of the Ukrainian army not the provider. Once registered, responsibility changes
• hwbunny 3y ago
  The cost of global things...