Why Canadian Starlink subscribers (probably) shouldn't worry about U.S interference

Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials said they had lost some access to Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink, the satellite communications system operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Musk, CEO of SpaceX, denied any involvement in restricting Ukraine's access, saying that decision would be up to the U.S. government.

Meanwhile, on Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump denied he was involved in the decision to restrict access and said he didn't think Musk was involved either.

Trump's remarks followed a Reuters report that the White House had ordered the restrictions.

Ukrainian officials said this week that military-grade Starlink terminals stopped working in Ukraine when mounted on fast-moving objects, interfering with Ukrainian drones that rely on them for onboard guidance over Ukrainian territory.

• Starlink restrictions would hamper Ukraine's war effort. But the country can adapt, experts say

Still, the potential ability of the U.S government to affect the operation of a Starlink-related satellite system may also have raised questions about Washington's ability to influence commerical users of the system.

In Canada, for example, Starlink provides internet access in remote areas and has about 500,000 users.

Here's a look at the U.S. government's relationship with Starlink and Starshield, and the role it plays in each.

A Ukrainian drone operator monitors video feeds and satellite imagery on an array of tablets. Ukrainian officials say restrictions on Starshield have disrupted some drone operations. (Neil Hauer/CBC)

What's the difference between Starlink and Starshield?

Starlink is a Space X's commercial satellite internet network, with more than 11,000 satellites and roughly 13 million subscribers. It is available to businesses and individuals.

Its low-Earth-orbit satellites allow it to deliver faster connections than traditional satellite internet systems.

The network gave Ukraine a critical communications advantage early in the war, reshaping how its military operates on the battlefield.

But when Musk and SpaceX became concerned about the commercial system being used for military purposes, the company created Starshield, said Mark Hilborne, an associate professor in the defence studies department at King's College London.

Unlike the thousands of satellites used in the Starlink network, Starshield is limited to around 250, Hilborne said.

It's also a more secure network, is not publicly available and is used specifically for government and military purposes. Its secure communications services use enhanced encryption and dedicated terminals.

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Few countries have access to Starshield, Hillborne said. The U.S. is the main customer, while the United Kingdom and Ukraine also have access. In Ukraine's case, the Pentagon covers the fees and allows the country to use the system.

While Starshield's missions are separate from Starlink's commercial broadband service, the distinction is not always clear-cut: Starshield's secure communications services use enhanced encryption and dedicated terminals ‌but rely ⁠on the vast Starlink constellation as their backbone.

What role does the U.S. government have in Starshield?

According to Musk, the Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the U.S government. That means any limits on speed or usage are decided by the U.S. military and, ultimately, by the president, he said.

"Mostly, it is used by [the U.S.] and it's for them. And so they probably make the ultimate decisions" regarding its use, Hilborne said.

According to a 2024 Reuters report, the Pentagon has also bought dedicated Starshield satellites, including communications spacecraft ​for missile-warning missions and a spy ​constellation for the National Reconnaissance ⁠Office.

But the relationship between Starshield and the U.S. government is "fuzzy," Craig Douglas Albert, a political science professor and graduate director of the Intelligence, Defense and Cybersecurity program at Augusta University in Georgia, said in an email to CBC News.

This image shows Starlink satellites shortly after being launched into space in 2019. (SpaceX)

SpaceX develops and supplies Starshield through government contracts, meaning the system is privately owned but procured by the U.S. government, Albert said.

"There is a lot on this relationship that is classified and thus, the direct relationship is still unclear," he said.

Does the U.S. government have any control over Starlink?

Again, Albert says, it's not entirely clear.

The U.S can regulate Starlink through licensing requirements and the terms of government contracts governing how the company operates, he said.

However, much of the relationship is classified, limiting public understanding of how much influence the U.S. government has over Starlink, Albert said.

But the U.S. has no direct control over Starlink itself, he said.

What major satellite systems does the U.S. government control?

Major examples would include the Global Positioning System (GPS), a space-based radio-navigation system owned by the U.S. government and operated by the United States Space Force. Its satellites provide services to civilian and military users.

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The U.S. Space Force also operates Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) and Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) system for military communications, as well as the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) for advanced missile warning.

"The relationship between satellite technology and the U.S. government exists from everyday consumer and citizen consumption through advanced national security operations," Albert said.

Should Canadians be concerned about U.S. government control over private commercial systems?

Hilborne said that while the U.S. may technically have the capability to turn off such a system in a region of Canada, for example, such a move would likely be resisted by commercial operators.

However, the U.S. government could likely apply leverage to a company like SpaceX to bend to its wishes, he suggested.

Albert added that citizens "should always force accountability of technology that is dual use and has a relationship between citizen consumer consumption and national security."