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Starlink poised to take over $2.4 billion contract to overhaul air traffic control communication (www.theverge.com)
submitted 1 week ago by pelespirit@sh.itjust.works to c/politics@sh.itjust.works
17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/26131439

Summary

The FAA is reportedly set to cancel a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon to modernize air traffic control communications and instead award it to Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Musk has publicly criticized Verizon’s system as failing, though without evidence. SpaceX employees have been embedded within the FAA, and some now have agency email addresses.

The move raises concerns about favoritism and conflicts of interest, especially as Musk’s companies have received $38 billion in government funding.

The contract transfer has not followed standard procedures, prompting resistance from senior FAA officials.

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[-] motor_spirit@lemmy.world 36 points 1 week ago

Lmao these shameless fucks

[-] unmagical@lemmy.ml 24 points 1 week ago

Can't fucking wait for planes to be coordinated solely by unsupervised AI. :(

[-] Picasso@sh.itjust.works 22 points 1 week ago

I don't understand how the American people are just letting this happen in plain sight.

[-] Skyrmir@lemmy.world 9 points 1 week ago

Kind of curious how large of a law suit Verizon could throw at Starlink.

[-] Mirshe@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

Not big enough to scare the richest man on Earth with the ear of the most powerful man in America.

[-] Skyrmir@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

Luigi doesn't talk to Elmo.

[-] nick_99@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 week ago

We don't have a choice.

[-] masterbaexunn@lemmy.world 8 points 1 week ago

Aren't y'all like super fucking proud of the 2nd amendment? This is EXACTLY what the slave owners that founded the country had in mind. At least I thought so, I'm not a Yank

[-] nick_99@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago

I guess some might, I personally think being able to own anything other than a pistol is stupid. To the Americans who think we can overturn our government, they're delusional.

[-] 50MYT@aussie.zone 17 points 1 week ago

So to take down an airport now, it just takes a group of people to show up with Starlinks and start torrenting at the gate...

[-] Snowclone@lemmy.world 13 points 1 week ago

No this can't be self dealing. He said he'd recuse himself if it was a conflict of interest!

[-] kowcop@aussie.zone 8 points 1 week ago

A bloke who has $400b needs more billions

[-] skozzii@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 week ago

Bahahahahaha, Replicans are to embarrassed to be wrong they aren't going to say or do a damn thing.

[-] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago

I absolutely hated flying the last few times I had to, and those were in 2014, 2018, and 2021 respectively. I guess I'm just not getting on a plane ever again.

[-] 1SimpleTailor@startrek.website 3 points 1 week ago

The alternative is going to be driving on neglected highways that will destroy your vehicle or taking toll roads. Traveling across America is about to become a lot less safe and a lot more inconvenient. I wonder how passenger railways are doing?

[-] AngryCommieKender@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I can take a train to LA, and from LA Chicago, at that point I just have to rent a car and drive a few hours. I'll be fine with my EV and E-bike.

That being said, passenger rail sucks in flyover country. It is kinda decent near the eastern seaboard.

[-] ace_of_based@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

Have i already taken my last flight? I hate the process even when it's ostensibly safe! Are airlines even on board with this? This is the industry that recently had the power to shorten covid sick time with a phone call...

this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2025
120 points (100.0% liked)

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