Musk begins testing his Starlink terminals in US airspace system

Elon Musk's SpaceX is seeking to deploy Starlink satellite internet terminals to help accelerate an upgrade of the information technology networks that support the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) national airspace system, according to people familiar with the matter.

- Bloomberg

The effort raises questions about conflicts of interest for Musk's business empire and the future of a $2 billion contract awarded in 2023 to Verizon Communications Inc. to upgrade the critical infrastructure, according to the people, who weren't authorized to speak publicly.

Musk approved a shipment of 4,000 Starlink terminals to the FAA last week for the initiative, said one of the people.

One terminal has already been installed at the FAA's air traffic control technology lab in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for testing, the person said.

The person familiar with the matter said the programme will be called TDMX.

The goal is to have the entire programme fully functional within 12 to 18 months.

An FAA spokesperson confirmed Bloomberg's report, saying the agency is testing one terminal in Atlantic City and two terminals at non-safety critical sites in Alaska.