The use of "Star Shield" by the Ukrainian army was restricted twice. U.S. lawmakers asked Musk to preserve records

Ukrainian President Zelensky recently stated that the Ukrainian military’s use of the U.S. Space Exploration Technology Company (SpaceX) satellite network “StarShield” has once again been subject to speed restrictions. Two consecutive speed limit incidents have aroused concern among members of the U.S. Congress. Two Democratic U.S. senators have written to Elon Musk, requesting that relevant records be preserved.

Reuters reported on the 13th that Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Chris Coons asked SpaceX CEO Musk in a letter to preserve relevant records from September 1, including all communications related to the use of Starlink and StarShield in Ukraine, as well as communications between Musk, SpaceX executives, and the White House and Pentagon. The lawmakers asked Musk to confirm in writing before November 30 that "all appropriate preservation measures have been taken."

"Starshield" is the military version of SpaceX's satellite network "Starlink"; this communication service is critical to the Ukrainian army's frontline communications and drone operations.

Bloomberg reported a few days ago that Zelensky said on the 12th that following the wave of speed restrictions in mid-October, the Ukrainian army also appeared for several consecutive days in November. The Star Shield will be interrupted when the moving speed of equipment exceeds about 161 kilometers, and the scope of impact covers "the entire front line and temporarily occupied areas." He pointed out that this is a "systemic speed limit, not an accidental failure."

The two Democratic congressmen stated in the letter that these speed-limiting incidents have raised "serious doubts" about SpaceX's control of communications systems related to national security, and criticized the decision-making process as "opaque." "The restrictions in October and November raise concerns that even systems the U.S. government relies on may be at risk of service limitations," the letter reads.

Reuters reported in October that the directive to restrict the Ukrainian military's use of Star Shield services came from within the White House. However, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio refuted the report, saying that it was up to SpaceX and Musk to decide whether Ukraine could use this service.