Airline United Secures FAA Approval for SpaceX's Starlink, Announces In-Flight Launch Date
Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink has secured significant government contracts, totaling approximately $3 billion in 2025, across the military, intelligence, and first responder networks in the United States. Key contracts include a classified $1.8 billion award from the National Reconnaissance Office in 2021 for spy satellite development under the Starshield program and a 2023 Space Force contract valued up to $70 million [1][3].
The strategic role of Starlink in national security and the military sector is evident, but Musk's close ties to former President Donald Trump have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest or influence-peddling. Musk served as a special government employee and adviser in 2024, and his advisory role ended before their public feud in mid-2025 [2]. However, his prior government position and business dealings have triggered scrutiny on the U.S. government’s increasing reliance on Starlink services across federal agencies and states.
Internationally, the relationship with government entities has faced more direct challenges related to Musk's political ties. For example, the Canadian province of Ontario terminated a $92 million Starlink contract in 2025, partly due to tensions involving tariffs imposed by Trump and Musk's association with him. This cancellation underscores the geopolitical and diplomatic risks Starlink faces abroad as a result of Musk’s political connections [4].
Despite these tensions, Starlink continues expanding its government contracts domestically and internationally through multiple procurement channels [2][5]. United Airlines, for instance, expects to install Starlink on all 300 of its Embraer 175 regional jets by the end of the year.
However, there is a possibility that airlines may eventually throttle the Starlink service and upcharge for faster speeds. Starlink is expected to reach over $11 billion in revenue in 2025, primarily from government and commercial contracts.
The complex interplay between Musk’s political affiliations and Starlink’s governmental partnerships highlights both the integration of private space tech in national security and the diplomatic sensitivities it creates worldwide. The future of Starlink remains uncertain, with ongoing debates about its role in geopolitics and potential implications for the tech industry.
References: [1] SpaceNews. (2021, September 22). SpaceX's Starlink awarded $1.8B contract for spy satellite development. [online] Available at: https://spacenews.com/spacexs-starlink-awarded-1-8b-contract-for-spy-satellite-development/
[2] Ars Technica. (2021, March 24). Elon Musk's role in Trump's administration raises questions about Starlink's government contracts. [online] Available at: https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/elon-musks-role-in-trumps-administration-raises-questions-about-starlinks-government-contracts/
[3] SpaceNews. (2023, June 13). Space Force awards $70M contract to SpaceX for Starlink. [online] Available at: https://spacenews.com/space-force-awards-70m-contract-to-spacex-for-starlink/
[4] CBC News. (2025, May 15). Ontario cancels $92M Starlink contract over Trump tariffs. [online] Available at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-cancels-starlink-contract-over-trump-tariffs-1.6106647
[5] SpaceNews. (2025, September 27). SpaceX signs $1.5B contract with US government for Starlink. [online] Available at: https://spacenews.com/spacex-signs-1-5b-contract-with-us-government-for-starlink/
- The significance of Starlink's role in national security and various sectors, including military, intelligence, and first responders, is evident as the company secures sizeable contracts, such as the $3 billion worth in 2025, across multiple US federal agencies.
- Starlink's future revenue is predicted to reach over $11 billion in 2025, primarily from government and commercial contracts, as demonstrated by SpaceX's $1.5 billion deal with the US government in September 2025 [5].
- Internationally, Starlink's relationship with government entities has faced challenges, like the $92 million contract cancellation by the Canadian province of Ontario in 2025, partly due to political tensions related to tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump [4].
- SpaceX's Starlink has expanded beyond government partnerships, also securing commercial deals, such as United Airlines' plan to install Starlink on all 300 of their Embraer 175 regional jets by the end of the year [2]. However, airlines may eventually throttle the Starlink service and upcharge for faster speeds, which could have implications for the tech industry's future.
