SpaceX making an unprecedented effort to use a network of nearly 12,000 internet carriersStarlink satellites by mid-2027.- Internet companies like traditional satellite
Viasat has opposed some of these projects by theFederal Communications Commission , which governs them. - Viasat recently boosted the level of
Elon Musk , Founder of SpaceX, by petitioning theFCC to a potentially costly and lengthy environmental review of Starlink. - Musk tweeted that Viasat was trying to protect its profits, accusing Charlie Ergen – founder and chairman of EchoStar and Dish Network, two different satellite companies – of “crazy moves.”
- Viasat told Business Insider that Ergen was not “involved” in his recent FCC petition and that “SpaceX’s continued failure to respond on merit speaks volumes.”
- SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.
On Tuesday, EX Musk, founder of SpaceX, stopped sharp criticism of Starlink – SpaceX’s planned fleet of nearly 12,000 satellites on the internet – filed by rival company Viasat to the Communications Commission Federal last week.
“Starlink is a‘ threat ’to Viasat’s profits, more like it,” Musk said tweet, as Starlink could increase Viasat’s customer base as SpaceX’s internet service expands. “Stop the crazy moves, Charlie Ergen!”
But Viasat said Ergen, Musk’s telecoms business figure who was called out, was not “involved” in his recent investigation and could have resulted. SpaceX and Viasat have long been involved in public films about upcoming decisions from the FCC, which will regulate the launch and operation of commercial satellites. But Viasat apparently ran up Musk enough for a public response.
In the new petition, filed on December 22, Viasat asked the FCC to examine the potential impacts of Starlink through processes established by the National Environmental Policy Act. In particular, Viasat cited SpaceX’s own filings, FCC policy, third-party investigations, and news stories to claim that its competitor treats satellites as “fragile products with little regard for the harmful environmental impacts they could have ”and that Starlink poses an“ unreasonable threat ”to the space environment in which another spacecraft must coexist.
There is currently a “sexual prohibition” satellite under the National Environmental Policy Act, but the law provides a means for an “interested person” – including a company – to pressure a federal agency to investigate an environmental audit. . Such activity could halt the launch of SpaceX satellites in almost two months, and could lead to environmental impact reporting – an approach that will take years to complete.
Sanas
“The Commission cannot take the word for SpaceX that the thousands of satellites it is trying to pack into orbit do not lower the risks of crashes and cause too much space debris – especially since it is known at SpaceX when its satellites hit other objects and crash or fail, it can always launch more, “Viasat ‘s lawyers said.
Musk is well acquainted with the level of environmental reviews, especially since SpaceX recently owned one for its Starship rocket system in Texas. So the tech mogul got into the Ergen tweet after SpaceNews shared his story of Viasat argues Starlink “poses environmental hazards in space and on Earth.”
Viasat Network, Dish: ‘Charlie Ergen Not Involved’
Ergen is the billionaire cofounder of EchoStar and Dish Network, but has no control over Viasat, according to Securities Trading Commission database records. In addition, a Viasat spokesperson told Insider in an email that Ergen is not “involved in VCC VCC movies.”
Viasat has offered its data services in a package with Dish’s satellite-TV service since 2012. But a spokesperson for Dish offered a Viasat-like statement on the matter, adding that it was under Musk’s opinion.
Musk’s level could come from Dish’s support for another controversial but independent issue within the FCC: a draft of a new proposal to share a small but important piece of radio
The nonprofit public know-how, which advocates for “access to affordable communications equipment,” argued Tuesday that such a move could be made while defending
Nonetheless, SpaceX has fought against the proposal, saying it would be unfair and “harm satellite broadband and satellite TV users” in a statement 28. December by the FCC. Musk himself accompanied lawyers on conference calls to lobby the case directly with four commissioners, according to the document.
Despite the apparent disconnect between Viasat and Ergen, Musk doubled down on linking the billionaire to the company Tuesday night by also Viasat executive chairman Mark Dankberg joining the charge about “crazy moves” against Starlink.
“This action is wack, not dank !!” Musk said in a follow tweet. Viasat, for its part, confirmed its critics on the SpaceX approach with Starlink by referring to the December 21 announcement of meetings held with FCC staff.
“Viasat, together with several independent third parties, mentioned in Viasat’s ex parte filing from 12/21/20, has identified issues that the FCC needs to address to ensure that space is used responsibly. from an environmental point of view. SpaceX ‘s continued failure responds.
Speakers for SpaceX did not accept Insider’s request for comment.
This story has been updated with new information.