A coalition of Ukrainian American organizations is opposing SpaceX’s plan to launch more satellites due to concerns over Elon Musk’s connections to Russian President Putin and his involvement in President-elect Trump’s advisory group, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America filed a petition with the FCC to deny SpaceX’s application, citing environmental worries and fears of Musk’s potential alignment with Putin. The committee believes there is a conflict of interest between Musk’s business pursuits and his new role in DOGE, which may lead to budget cuts that could impact SpaceX. Ukraine has relied on Starlink satellites for communication during the conflict with Russia, but Musk’s actions, including proposing a peace plan seen as pro-Russian and allegedly interfering with Starlink during a Ukrainian offensive, have raised concerns. The Ukrainian coalition believes Musk should not engage in foreign policy and is worried that his influence in Trump’s administration could lead to regulatory favoritism towards his companies. The coalition’s efforts to block SpaceX’s satellite launch applications have not been addressed by the company. Despite allegations of environmental harm, SpaceX has denied any detrimental impact from its satellite operations. Trump’s FCC chair has indicated that subsidies to Musk’s Starlink service are unlikely to be restored. Overall, the concerns raised by the Ukrainian coalition highlight the complex geopolitical and regulatory issues surrounding Musk’s ventures and his connections to influential political figures.
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