AsianFin -- Elon Musk’s SpaceX is working to deploy Starlink satellite internet terminals as part of an effort to upgrade the IT networks supporting the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) national airspace system, according to sources familiar with the initiative.
This move raises concerns over potential conflicts of interest, particularly regarding a $2 billion contract awarded in 2023 to Verizon Communications to upgrade the system’s infrastructure, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Last week, Musk approved the shipment of 4,000 Starlink terminals to the FAA for this project, one of the sources revealed. The first terminal has already been installed at the FAA’s air traffic control technology lab in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where it is undergoing testing.
The initiative, known as TDM X, aims to be fully operational within 12 to 18 months, according to those familiar with the project.
An FAA spokesperson confirmed that one terminal is being tested in Atlantic City, while two others have been deployed at non-safety-critical sites in Alaska. The agency is exploring the use of Starlink to improve telecommunications and provide more reliable weather data for remote locations, including in Alaska.
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