The head of the US Space Command, General James Dickinson, told lawmakers on March 9 that SpaceX’s decision to limit the Ukrainian military’s use of the company’s satellite internet was a warning to the US military because they were increasingly dependent on commercial services. This question was raised by Senator Mark Kelly (R-Ariz.) during a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. He questioned SpaceX’s actions to prevent the Ukrainian military from using the company’s Starlink service to control drones in the war against Russia.

Dickinson said Starlink’s success in providing Internet services in Ukraine “shows how commercial space capabilities can play an important role in our modern high-intensity conflicts.”

But SpaceX’s decision to cut services underscores “the importance of a shared understanding between commercial service providers and their customers and users.” According to Dickinson, there should be clear predetermined guidelines when the military uses commercial services during war. According to him, this applies to all kinds of services, not just the space industry.

SpaceX opposes ‘arming’

Last month, SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell said the company had no intention of using Starlink as a “weapon.” SpaceX provided Starlink services in Ukraine at its own expense and under an agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), not under a contract with the Department of Defense. Kelly said he was “personally disappointed that full services have come to an end at such a critical time for Ukraine’s self-defense.” He then asked Dickinson what implications this would have for the US Space Command as it “deepened its partnerships with industry and foreign partners.”

“How do you approach agreements with industry regarding the military use of commercial capabilities?” Kelly asked. “And how do we ensure that the Department of Defense and our partners have all the capabilities available for all military operations?”

Dickinson said these issues are being addressed as part of a new commercial space reservation program led by the US Space Force. “In fact, in times of conflict, they’re looking at how we trust commercial companies for certain services and make sure they’re available to us.” He said the initiative, called Commercial Augmentation Space Reserves, was a timely effort supported by the US Space Command. “We need this as we use the commercial sector to provide us with additional opportunities.”