How will Ukraine keep SpaceX’s Starlink internet service online?
SpaceX’s Starlink internet is now active in Ukraine. But will the company be able to keep it online?
of Russia Attacks on Ukraine continue to claim lives and destroy infrastructure as the country invades. This infrastructure damage has disrupted internet access in Ukraine, prompting a government official to publicly request Starlink satellite internet access for the country SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Musk commitsactivate Starlink Service in Ukraine and Delivery of additional hardware. But how will Ukraine stay connected in the face of ongoing attacks on infrastructure?
“@elonmusk @SpaceX @SpaceXStarlink Thank you! Starlink keeps our cities connected and emergency services save lives! With Russian attacks on our infrastructure, we need generators to keep Starlinks and life-saving services online – ideas?” Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and the country’s Minister for Digital Transformation, who made Musk’s original request, asked on Twitter today (March 2nd).
Related: A geomagnetic storm crashes 40 SpaceX satellites into Earth
@elonmusk @SpaceX @SpaceXStarlink Thank you! Starlink keeps our cities connected and emergency services save lives! In the face of Russian attacks on our infrastructure, we need generators to keep Starlinks and life-saving services online – ideas? @Honda @ChampionGen @westinghouse @DuroMaxPower pic.twitter.com/FkUZ6s08AOMarch 2, 2022
Fedorov makes an important point: Even though Starlink works without the need for traditional internet infrastructure, the terrestrial hardware still needs power. And as Russian attacks bombard the country, Ukraine’s internet access will continue to be threatened.
Fedorov’s statement publicly asked for help acquiring generators to keep Starlink online for Ukrainians. But Musk responded with an alternative proposal.
“Solar panels + battery pack better than generator as no heat signature or smoke and no fuel runs out,” Musk wrote in response to Twitter.
Fedorov’s concern also points to the importance of internet access for the country under attack.
The internet connection enables what Fedorov described as “life-saving” communication, whether between family members displaced and separated by a rocket attack or between first-aid teams trying to locate an injured person. Internet access is a crucial component for those in Ukraine fighting to survive the invasion.
Editor’s Note: Fedorov replied to Musk later today, specify:
“Good point – should work even with Ukrainian winters! We’ll keep you posted as we roll out more Starlinks across the country. Thanks again for helping us with @SpaceXStarlink – it will save many lives.”
Russian criticism
Dmitry Rogozin, director general of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, has publicly commented on Twitter about the impact of the war on space relations. Rogozin recently announced that Roscosmos would halt the planned launch of British internet satellite company OneWeb on Friday (March 4) on board a Russian Soyuz rocket if the company and the British government fail to do so meet certain requirements.
Now Rogozin is talking about providing SpaceX’s Starlink service to Ukraine. according to statement translated and shared by space enthusiast Katya Pavlushchenko.
Dmitry @Rogozin to Russia Today: “When Russia imposes its highest national interests on the territory of Ukraine, @elonmusk appears with his Starlink, previously declared purely civilian. Here this mud (мурло) has opened …” https ://t.co/8htcXn0YmnMarch 2, 2022
“When Russia imposes its highest national interests on the territory of Ukraine, @elonmusk appears with its Starlink, which was previously declared purely civilian,” Rogozin said, referring to both the invasion as a realization of national interests and the land of Ukraine as territory.
“I warned against it, but our ‘musk lovers’ said – he’s the light of the world [of] cosmonautics. Here, look, he’s chosen his side. I don’t even blame him personally. This is the West we should never trust,” Rogozin added.
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @spacedotcom and on Facebook.
How will Ukraine keep SpaceX’s Starlink internet service online? Source link How will Ukraine keep SpaceX’s Starlink internet service online?
