As debate intensifies in several European countries over Elon Musk’s attempts to influence domestic politics, the world’s richest man – his growing influence in the world’s satellite sector – intensifies. Another discussion is underway.
The Italian government is currently negotiating with Musk’s SpaceX over a 1.6 billion euro ($1.65 billion) deal to provide encrypted communications services via satellite internet provider Starlink. .
The Italian government confirmed that negotiations were ongoing. The meeting has been controversial, with opposition politicians accusing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of violating national security.
Namrata Goswami, an independent space policy scholar, said this type of deal represents a “new I think it will become the norm.
“So what governments are looking for, especially in terms of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, etc., those communications are likely to be more encrypted and more secure based on what SpaceX provides. ” she told DW.
SpaceX owns the sky
Meloni recently met with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the Mar-a-Lago base and has developed close ties with both Trump and Musk. She said any proposal she discussed about a deal with Starlink during her trip was “absolutely ridiculous.”
But Elon Musk’s courtship of Meloni could extend his already significant influence in the field of so-called low-orbit satellites, which orbit the Earth at altitudes below 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles). The satellites in its orbit are very useful in providing telecommunications and the internet.
Last year, SpaceX added more than 20 countries to its Starlink customer base. This means we currently offer our services in over 100 countries and territories. There are currently approximately 7,000 satellites operating in space.
Many Internet offerings are aimed at businesses and consumers. However, some national governments also use Starlink for their own communications and military applications. The U.S. Department of Defense uses a specific service called Starshield that is designed for some government and military agencies. Ukraine also made extensive use of Starlink services during its war with Russia.
Goswami said the example of the Ukraine war means that many other governments will seek to deploy Starlink for military communications.
“Military-wise, what we’re going to see going forward is not only European countries but also Asian countries signing contracts and making agreements with Starshield, if not Starlink. “So we’re going to be able to use that military power to communicate,” she said.
new frontier
But SpaceX’s deal to provide communications services to major EU governments would be a new start. Italy could also come into conflict with the EU’s space strategy.
Last month, the European Commission signed an agreement to establish IRIS², a plan to place 260 satellites in low-to-medium Earth orbit by 2030. The idea is that these satellites will provide secure communications to EU member states.
A spokesperson for the European Commission told DW that EU governments are not obliged to use the service, but that it is a “commitment for EU government officials to access secure, sovereign and reliable space-based satellite communication services.” This is a concrete answer to the growing demand for ”
There are no EU regulations that prohibit EU governments from using certain satellite or internet services, including Starlink.
The spokesperson clarified that Italy could pursue a partnership with Starlink if it wishes, but stressed Italy’s strong role in establishing IRIS².
“Regarding the purported agreement between Italy and Starlink, the European Commission does not, in principle, comment on discussions of this type,” the spokesperson said. “Italy is a sovereign state making sovereign decisions. Incidentally, Italy is ready to be home to one of the three IRIS² management centres.”
Concerns about Musk’s role
Goswami said Musk has a firm grip on the global satellite sector thanks to his success with SpaceX and Starlink. She said SpaceX’s ability to build reusable rockets means its launch capabilities are far superior to its competitors.
“If Starship is successful, they’ll be able to launch even more rockets,” he said, referring in particular to SpaceX Starship, a giant reusable rocket with vast heavy-lift capabilities developed by Musk. . So they’re very dominant in this particular field.” field. “
However, both China and India are working on rivals to Starlink and have already made significant progress in this area. “If India and China can catch up, from their perspective they will be able to offer cheaper and more viable products to developing countries, for example,” Goswami said.
Regarding concerns about how Musk and his dealings with governments such as Italy could affect global geopolitical security, his increasing involvement in politics presents a clear risk. She says there is.
She believes a potential issue is that he could have the power to restrict the government or military’s use of Starlink if he disagrees with them politically.
“We need some security that we can’t just discontinue certain services because we don’t like the policies of a particular country,” she says. “That concerns me because he has so much power that he may want to influence his company’s decisions about who to support and who not to support. is.”
Editor: Uwe Hessler
