“Extremely Dire”: FAA Assesses Communication System Close To Catastrophic Failure, SpaceX Sends Starlink Terminals at NO COST to Taxpayer

To be clear here, the Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly. The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure, putting air traveler safety at serious risk.

The Starlink terminals are being sent at NO COST to the taxpayer on an emergency basis to restore air traffic control connectivity.

The situation is extremely dire. (Elon Musk on X)

I fly often for work. My wife is now asking me to change my plans…

Watch this Southwest flight nearly collide with a smaller jet today in Chicago.

Thankfully the pilot had the time and ability to abort the landing.

Are you changing your flying habits? pic.twitter.com/hzSvzkgpUq

— Bruce Porter Jr.  (@NetworksManager) February 25, 2025

NEW: Planes nearly collide at Midway Airport in Chicago, Illinois, forcing a Southwest plane to abort the landing.

A small jet could be seen crossing the runway, forcing the Southwest plane to touch and go.

The incident was similar to an incident at LAX in December, where the… pic.twitter.com/P9MzCFgD1l

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 25, 2025

Webcam catches the explosion after an airliner collides with a helicopter at Reagan National Airport. pic.twitter.com/XhJheLZosm

— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) January 30, 2025

https://xtwittercom/AndySlater/status/1684701475199725572

The left is in meltdown, of course. They’d rather have airline crashes and dead people so they can blame Trump.

SpaceX wants to improve US air-traffic control with Starlink terminals

By: Dwaipayan Roy, Newsbyte, Feb 25, 2025

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is planning to deploy Starlink satellite internet terminals to improve the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) national airspace system.

The project, dubbed TDM X, involves shipping 4,000 Starlink terminals and hopes to be fully operational within 12-18 months.

One terminal has already been installed at the FAA’s air-traffic control technology lab in Atlantic City, New Jersey for testing.

FAA tests Starlink terminals

The FAA is testing one terminal in Atlantic City and two more at non-safety critical sites in Alaska.

The agency is considering Starlink to improve telecommunication connections for more reliable weather information at remote locations, including Alaska.

Musk’s move raises questions about possible conflicts of interest, especially with a $2 billion contract awarded to Verizon Communications in 2023 for upgrading the FAA’s critical infrastructure.

Contract concerns

Verizon responds to potential conflict with SpaceX’s initiative

A Verizon spokesperson said their contract supports maintaining and upgrading the FAA’s infrastructure, stressing the importance of a safe air traffic control system.

It remains unclear how integrating Starlink terminals would affect Verizon’s existing contract.

Musk addressed these developments on his X social media platform, saying, “The Verizon system is not working and so is putting air travelers at serious risk.”

FAA scrutiny

SpaceX’s Starlink initiative amid FAA scrutiny

Musk’s efforts come amid recent scrutiny over the FAA’s aging airspace network, after a deadly mid-air collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in January.

President Donald Trump called the current air-traffic control technology “obsolete” after the incident.

Musk’s political influence has accelerated SpaceX’s reach into government and business sectors.

In December, SpaceX won a Pentagon contract to boost Ukraine’s access to a militarized version of its Starlink