Senator Calls for Defense Secretary Hegseth to Explain SpaceX Speed Limit Removal
A Democratic senator urged Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to appear before Congress about lifting speed caps on a SpaceX system used by Ukraine.
Senator Adam Schiff publicly demanded that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testify before the Senate about the removal of speed limits on Starshield, a defense-focused version of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet used by Ukrainian forces. The call follows one outlet's story revealing that President Donald Trump personally asked SpaceX founder Elon Musk to speed up the service for Ukraine. Schiff contends that the decision to lift the restrictions, which were originally imposed to manage bandwidth, has significant implications for the war effort against Russia.
He wants the department to clarify the rationale and any oversight involved. The request underscores ongoing congressional scrutiny of U.S. military aid and technology transfers to Ukraine.
Why it matters
The testimony could reveal how U.S. defense decisions impact Ukraine's war effort and oversight of military technology.
How this story developed
- Oct 14 SpaceX throttles Starlink in Ukraine, hampering drone strike operations
- Oct 20 Senator Marco Rubio told President Zelensky that U.S. policy on intelligence sharing, arms sales and restrictions has not changed.
- Oct 21 Jared Kushner joined the Oslo discussions via video link.
- Oct 21 A 160 km/h speed cap was reported to have been imposed on Starshield after Elon Musk instructed the limit following talks with President Trump.
- Oct 22 Senator Marco Rubio told reporters that the reduction in Starlink service for Ukraine was decided by SpaceX under its commercial agreement, not directed by the White House.
- Oct 22 Elon Musk clarified that the Starshield system is owned by the U.S. government and that any speed restrictions are imposed by the military.
- Oct 23 Senator Richard Blumenthal announced a Senate investigation into who authorized the Starshield bandwidth restriction for Ukraine.
- Oct 23 President Trump said Elon Musk had removed the speed limits on Starshield terminals.
- Oct 24 Ukraine's Defence Ministry reports Starshield connectivity restored after weeks of throttling.
- Oct 24 Only a limited number of units have regained higher‑speed Starshield access, indicating a partial restoration.
- Oct 24 Heléne Fritzon launched a petition that gathered over 60 signatures from fellow EU legislators calling for an explanation from the United States over the Starlink speed limits.
- Oct 24 Ukraine’s satellite internet and defense links are now operating at pre-restriction speeds after a week of limited connectivity that hampered military communications.
- Oct 25 Musk announced the closure of the loophole that had allowed the disputed use.
- Oct 25 Speed caps on Starlink terminals moving faster than roughly 160 km/h were lifted, restoring speeds above 400 km/h.
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