Starlink can be explained using two different descriptions.

The first description, the official glossy effrontery, describes it as a technologically innovative engineering civilian project: With its vast world-wide network of space satellites, Starlink is a revolutionary communications infrastructure designed to give digital equality, promising internet access to everyone even those living in the remotest areas, as it continues developing…

Further, SpaceX’s Starlink with its CEO Elon Musk is touted as a visionary, having a revolutionary communications company boldly democratizing the skies, providing internet services to the public where governmental bodies have failed to duly deliver…

-However, Starlink doesn’t stop at the civilian or public realm. There is much more to it.

The second description reveals that it is not just a communications foundation, but a geopolitical paradigm designed to wield power and control while encompassing digital supremacy in space.

The skies have been militarized through privately owned satellite networking which radically changes how war and politics operate. The term “private” can only be used to loosely describe the situation, as developmental business models are so heavily subsidized by government contracts. Then there’s the related classified military defenses…

Thus, Starlink is not publicly controlled. Space satellite operations are confined to centralized control stations based in the USA through software operations via servers. Unlike the old paradigm, these headquartered control stations are not obligated nor accountable to international, multi-lateral rules or any regulations. There isn’t a single country in the world that is privy to these centralized control stations and their operations.

Starlink used as a testing ground

The hidden ulterior motive, Starlink as a modern political power play was revealed during the Ukraine war in 2022 when Starlink terminals had suddenly swarmed over Ukraine. They were used to connect to satellite networks during the Ukraine’s war with Russia. Showing up at Ukraine military bases, sanctioned through Pentagon officials, it had brought much conflict, threatening peace with Russia.

Elon Musk was ordered to shut-down satellite communications operations after Russia deployed anti-satellite missiles.

The Ukraine war had been used as a testing ground for Starlink. Out of this StarShield was born, the military version of Starlink.

Put simply, through U.S private networks, Starlink’s communications have changed the way war operates: The new reality is that the military operations of an entire state are now dependent on corporate entrepreneurship. Elon Musk and his company’s technology operates this way; not traditionally through generals or defense secretaries affecting the control of armies and the related infrastructure.

-Understandably, the absence of state control has sent shockwaves in certain circles… It has not been legally or politically ascertained whether the state or the operators are in charge of deployment, targeting and cessation.

Geopolitical leverage

Space is no longer neutral territory. In truth, whoever controls the skies with its communications infrastructure will use it for military supremacy. All done under the guise of touting it as a mere digital technology for civilians.

As already mentioned, no country, no government or regulatory body can track what is going on during operations. Starlink with its militarization has replaced military presence with digital presence.

States that choose this digital supremacy must abide by its orbit-to-ground American-dominated owner controllers. For example, a number of African countries have opted to choose this infrastructure. They have boldly chosen to rely on its strategic dependence.

-Entire areas or countries could be disconnected from the system through a few button presses if there is a fall out with their digital owner controllers. Consider, for example, digital disconnection instead of sanctions. Wouldn’t digital disconnection be much more subtle, more effective?

Read More: Starlink Digitally Controlling the Skies for Military Supremacy