Can Elon Musk turn off the internet during a war? Understand the power of Starlink

Whether in the inhospitable deserts of the Sahara or in the dense Amazon Rainforest, in the immensity of the Pacific Ocean or the ice layer of the Arctic, internet does not exist in many parts of the world. Originally, the South African technology billionaire Elon Musk promoted the development of Starlink to solve this exact problem, bringing high-speed internet to regions of the world where cables or fiber optics do not reach; or where it is so expensive that it simply doesn't pay off. However, the range of applications for Starlink has expanded considerably. The system has begun to be used for communication in disaster areas and also by armies or protest movements – for example, in areas where the original internet was destroyed by enemy fire or blocked by totalitarian regimes. How does Starlink work? The Starlink network has almost 10 thousand small satellites in low Earth orbit – Photo: La Nacion/ZUMA Press/picture alliance Essentially, it is a satellite internet system with almost 10 thousand small satellites orbiting the Earth. They relay data packets between themselves via laser beams and do not require a direct and constant line of sight with a ground station that connects the satellite system to the conventional internet. Unlike other internet satellites, which orbit at an altitude of approximately 36 thousand kilometers, the Starlink satellites are located only about 550 kilometers above the Earth's surface. This allows internet signals to be transmitted much faster. The latency is kept so low that it allows even applications that require a large amount of data to function. Users only need a small receiving terminal with an electronically controlled antenna that automatically aligns with the passing satellites. These terminals then forward the received signal to a nearby router, which provides the internet connection within the local network. Where has Starlink been used? Musk promoted the development of Starlink to provide internet to remote areas – Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance Ukraine: Since the beginning of Russia's act of aggression, in February 2022, Starlink has become one of the most important communication tools in the war zone. The military uses Starlink to coordinate units, operate drones, and control unmanned ground systems. In the civil sector, the system is used by hospitals, emergency services, energy suppliers, and the Ukrainian railway, among others. It is also alleged that the Russian Army is accessing Starlink using illegally smuggled terminals for the country through intermediary countries. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that it is working in close collaboration with the operator, SpaceX, to restrict this use as much as possible. - Sudan: In the Sudanese civil war, Starlink is mainly used by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group fighting against the state army. Hundreds of devices were smuggled into the country through the United Arab Emirates, and a real black market of Starlink terminals has established itself. The RSF use these devices for communication and coordination between their militias, while the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) try to block their import and use. - Iran: At the beginning of this year, protests erupted across the country against the regime in Tehran, which responded, among other things, by shutting down the internet. However, reports indicate that thousands of terminals were smuggled into the country and resold in the illegal market. This allowed protesters to use Starlink to coordinate their actions against the regime, despite the state censorship of the internet. - Venezuela: Starlink has also been used in the past to circumvent information restrictions and guarantee free internet access. For a long time, the service was only available extra-officially, through the purchase of kits in local commerce. After the intervention of the US and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, Elon Musk temporarily offered free internet access to the country's citizens. Users only need a receiving terminal with an antenna, which forwards the signal to a nearby router – Photo: Middle East Images/picture alliance - Gaza Strip: Since July 2024, Starlink has been used for humanitarian purposes in a widely destroyed Gaza Strip. Humanitarian aid organizations and a field hospital can use it to provide telemedicine assistance and logistical coordination. However, general access for civilians remains limited, in part due to security concerns by Israel. What are the criticisms of Starlink? Starlink is usually the only internet connection in conflict zones. This gives Elon Musk enormous influence. In some cases, the communication of entire armies or humanitarian organizations depends on his company, SpaceX. For example, Musk has already refused to activate the service for Ukraine during an attack near Crimea. The US President, Donald Trump, also threatened Ukraine with shutting down the satellites to force Kyiv to make concessions in negotiations. There are also ecological criticisms. The Starlink satellites are mass-produced and have a lifespan of only about five years. On average, one or two Musk satellites disintegrate into the Earth's atmosphere every day; the aluminum oxide released in this process can affect the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Furthermore, the numerous satellites reflect sunlight, making the night sky brighter, which can also have an impact on wildlife. Who is working on alternatives? Vital tool in conflicts: Ukrainian soldier with Starlink receiver – Photo: Alexander Polegenko/picture alliance Despite all concerns, alternatives are already being developed, mainly in Europe, to break the Starlink monopoly. The largest private competitor to SpaceX currently is Eutelsat. However, its satellite service, OneWeb, with a fleet of more than 600 satellites, is significantly smaller. Furthermore, the service focuses on corporate clients and maritime applications. Eutelsat is also involved in the development of IRIS², an ambitious network of high-security satellites of the European Union. This network aims to make Europe less dependent on Starlink. However, it will not be operational until 2029. Elon Musk also faces competition in the US, mainly from his billionaire colleague Jeff Bezos. Bezos's company, Amazon, is working intensively on its Amazon Leo service: the construction of a network with more than 3 thousand new low Earth orbit satellites. Amazon plans to launch its commercial service this year – including in Brazil, thanks to a partnership with Sky. The skies are about to become more congested, especially because China is developing two of its own satellite communication systems. The state project Guowang is mainly aimed at national and military use and foresees the inclusion of up to 13 thousand satellites, while the Qianfan project, with approximately 12 thousand satellites, has a more commercial orientation and is intended to serve emerging and developing countries. The first mass launches for both projects are also scheduled for this year.