As Ukraine is invaded by Russia, the country's attacks continue to kill people and destroy infrastructure. Because of the infrastructure damage, internet connection in Ukraine has been hampered, prompting a government official to publicly ask SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for Starlink satellite internet service for the country.
Musk responded, launching the Starlink service in Ukraine and dispatching additional equipment. However, how will Ukraine stay connected if attacks on infrastructure continue?
"@elonmusk @SpaceX @SpaceXStarlink many thx! Starlink keeps our cities connected and emergency services saving lives! With Russian attacks on our infra, we need generators to keep Starlinks & life-saving services online - ideas?" Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine's vice prime minister and the country's minister of digital transformation, who made the original request of Musk, asked on Twitter on Mar. 2.
Fedorov raises a major point: even while Starlink does not require typical internet infrastructure, the Earth-bound device still requires power. And, as Russian attacks continue to pound the country, Ukraine's internet connectivity will be jeopardized.
Fedorov's statement publicly asked for assistance in procuring generators to keep Starlink operational for Ukrainians. Musk, however, offered a different option.
"Solar panels + battery pack better than generator, as no heat signature or smoke & doesn't run out of fuel," Musk wrote in response on Twitter.
Fedorov's concern also highlights the need of internet access for the under-attack country.
When family members are displaced and separated by a missile assault, or first aid teams are seeking to identify a wounded individual, an Internet connection allows for "life-saving" interaction, according to Fedorov. For individuals in Ukraine battling to survive the invasion, having access to the internet is essential.
Russians, however, or at least one country official, isn't happy with Musk coming to the rescue.
Dmitry Rogozin, the director-general of Russia's space agency Roscosmos, has spoken out openly on Twitter about the war's impact on outer space ties. Most recently, Rogozin stated that Roscosmos might cancel the launch of OneWeb, a U.K.-based internet satellite company, scheduled for Friday atop a Russian Soyuz rocket if the company and the UK government did not meet certain requirements.
According to a message translated and posted by space enthusiast Katya Pavlushchenko, Rogozin is now speaking out regarding SpaceX's provision of Starlink service to Ukraine.
"When Russia implements its highest national interests on the territory of Ukraine, @elonmusk appears with his Starlink which was previously declared as purely civilian," Rogozin stated.
"I warned about it, but our "muskophiles" said - he is the light of the world [of] cosmonautics. Here, look, he has chosen the side. I don't even blame him personally. This is the West that we should never trust," Rogozin added.
