· X post
Musk says FAA communications system is failing as FAA tests Starlink terminals
The Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly
What he said or did
Musk posted that The Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly
and that the FAA assessed single digit months to catastrophic failure
; the FAA confirmed it was testing Starlink terminals (CNN). The Washington Post had reported the FAA was close to cancelling Verizon's $2.4 billion contract and giving the work to SpaceX.
Background
Three SpaceX engineers were serving at the FAA as special government employees with ethics waivers, and the FAA also regulates SpaceX launches. Musk later posted a correction saying the ageing system was L3Harris's, not Verizon's (Washington Post).
Official response
SpaceX said Recent media reports about SpaceX and the FAA are false
and that there was no effort or intent for Starlink to 'take over' any existing contract,
describing a no-cost lease of Starlink kits via L3Harris. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Starlink could be part of a solution
(Washington Post). Verizon said its solution stands ready to be deployed
(CNN).
Fact-checks and findings
Musk acknowledged his initial post misattributed the failing system to Verizon (Washington Post).
What happened next
The FAA said it was testing Starlink in Alaska, Oklahoma City and Atlantic City, with deployment decisions left to its acting administrator (Washington Post).
Sources
- CNN (via KRDO)27 Feb 2025
This entry records what was publicly said or done, as reported by the sources above. Quotes are attributed to the person who made them.
