“US Calls on Musk to Support Taiwan: Opening SpaceX Starshield Military Network for US Troops Stationed in Taiwan, Response Required by March”
The US House Committee on China has sent an open letter to Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, requesting access to the Starshield satellite communication network for the US military stationed in Taiwan. This communication network, designed for military use, is crucial for ensuring US interests in the Asia-Pacific region.
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What is Starshield?
Expansion of the Starlink Project
Gallagher’s Request for Musk’s Support in Military Communication Needs
Opening Starshield Based on Cross-Strait Military Requirements
Musk’s Balancing Act between Business and Politics
US House of Representatives Requests Response by March
SpaceX’s Starshield project is a satellite communication service specifically designed for military and national security customers, focusing on meeting the specific needs of government and military users. It is an expanded version of the Starlink project, a low Earth orbit satellite network that provides high-speed internet globally.
However, the current Starlink project does not provide access for users in Taiwan.
The open letter revealed the findings of the US House Committee on China Chairman Mike Gallagher and his delegation’s visit to Taiwan in February: the Starshield network does not provide services to the US military stationed in Taiwan and surrounding areas. This situation raises concerns that SpaceX may be violating the contractual requirement with the Pentagon to provide “global access” to the US military.
The committee’s letter emphasized the importance of ensuring robust communication networks for US military personnel in the Western Pacific region, particularly in the event of military aggression by the Chinese Communist Party against Taiwan. This is to safeguard US interests in the Asia-Pacific region from threats.
CNBC Analysis: Musk’s good relationship with China has always been a key factor in Tesla’s success, but this relationship becomes particularly delicate against the backdrop of US-China tensions. Tesla operates its own factory in Shanghai, and Musk’s position on Taiwan, considering it an integral part of China, has also sparked controversy.
The US House Committee on China has requested Musk to provide a briefing to the committee on his operations in Taiwan by March 8. This letter highlights the US government’s determination to ensure its military communication capabilities are not influenced by geopolitical factors, while also reflecting the sensitivity of the US military presence in Taiwan and its complex role in US-China relations.
Elon Musk
SpaceX
Starshield
Gallagher
Musk
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