“It is important to ensure satellite services provided by untrusted suppliers, such as those from China, are not permitted to operate in your country,” said an undated memo that laid out talking points for U.S. officials. A copy was obtained by Nextgov/FCW and Defense One.
The memo also suggested that U.S. providers offer more reliable services, but acknowledged that U.S.-based SpaceX — like other U.S. firms — retains the right to restrict or withdraw its Starlink service at its whim, as it has reportedly done in Ukraine.
The memo, which has not been previously reported, said that working with Chinese space providers operating in low earth orbit, or LEO, could help Beijing advance its foreign-policy goals. It noted that Chinese law allows its central government to compel domestic satellite operators to hand over sensitive information on their business activities, granting possible openings for sensitive data exfiltration.
If asked about the Starlink satellite-communications service, U.S. officials are told under the memo to acknowledge that parent company SpaceX may restrict the delivery or operation of ground terminals as local regulations require — and otherwise as it pleases.
While there’s no law that permits the U.S. government to dictate where satellite-communication firms may or may not operate, Elon Musk’s control of Starlink operations has raised questions about the roles of commercial services during wartime and of private companies in policy decisions.
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