OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The Ukrainian government is once again thanking SpaceX founder Elon Musk after they received a second shipment of Starlink stations from his company.
“Received the second shipment of Starlink stations! @elonmusk keeps his word!” Mykhailo Fedorov, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, tweeted. “Thank you for supporting Ukraine and peace in the entire world! @OMarkarova thanks!”
“You’re welcome,” Musk responded. “We have also sent power adapters for car cigarette lighters, solar/battery packs and generators for places where electricity is not available.”
Received the second shipment of Starlink stations! @elonmusk keeps his word! Thank you for supporting Ukraine and peace in the entire world! @OMarkarova thanks! pic.twitter.com/hNZwsXkOCT
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 9, 2022
Last week, Musk was widely praised after he responded to a plea from the Ukrainian government seeking access to SpaceX’s Starlink satellite-based broadband service so Ukrainian citizens and government officials could still access the Internet amid an invasion by Russian forces.
Musk responded on social media to a tweet from Mykhailo Fedorov, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine, who tweeted: “@elonmusk, while you try to colonize Mars — Russia try to occupy Ukraine! While your rockets successfully land from space — Russian rockets attack Ukrainian civil people! We ask you to provide Ukraine with Starlink stations and to address sane Russians to stand.”
“Starlink service is now active in Ukraine,” Musk said in his reply. “More terminals en route.”
Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022
The responses on social media to Musk were very positive:
- Ukraine: “Thanx, appreciate it.”
- Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine: “Starlink terminals are coming to Ukraine! Thank you @elonmusk , thank you everyone, who supported Ukraine!”
- Robert C. O’Brien, former national security adviser: “I said in my remarks to @CPAC today that @elonmusk is one of the reasons America will ultimately prevail against #Russia and #China. Below is Exhibit A in support of my argument. #Ukraine #Freedom”
- Payton Alexander, attorney: “The people of Ukraine, an embattled war-torn country, will now receive high speed, low latency, broadband internet from space. Russia cannot touch it.”
- Klon Kitchen, AEI senior fellow: “Awesome. Also, a major example of how the national security burden is now shared with the private sector in fundamental and powerful ways. Well done @elonmusk (but we should talk about China).”
- Maye Musk, Elon Musk’s mother: “@elonmusk Wonderful! #ProudMom #StopTheWar #Ukraine.”
- Bel Trew, reporter: “Well this is quite something. One of the biggest fears among Ukrainians I’ve been speaking to is being completely cut off from the world while the worst attacks happens.”
- Brendan Carr, FCC Commissioner: “Great to see! America has a strategic interest in allied enterprises beaming Internet abroad—from Cuba to Afghanistan & now Ukraine. Bills introduced last year by @marcorubio @SenRickScott @RepMariaSalazar would ensure the U.S. backs those efforts. Let’s pass those bills ASAP.”
- Scott Adams, political commentator: “Pushes a button and changes the course of history.”
- Scott Gilmore, magazine editor: “SpaceX donating starlink terminals means it’s now impossible for Russia to shut down the internet. This keeps Pres Zelenskyy connected to Ukrainians and keeps Ukrainians connected to the world. It’s a monumental boon to their fight.”
- Mike Cernovich, political commentator: “Elon Musk is Iron Man. The West sees all conflict now as a 3 act comic book movie.”
According to the company, “Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe. Within each coverage area, orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Using advanced satellites in a low orbit, Starlink enables video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high data rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite internet,” the company continues.
“Starlink is ideally suited for areas where connectivity has been unreliable or completely unavailable,” the company noted further. “People across the globe are using Starlink to gain access to education, health services, and even communications support during natural disasters.”
