Satellite service Starlink doesn’t have the capabilities to be the FAA’s comms backbone. Trump officials may take a $2.4B contract from Verizon and give it to Musk’s company anyway.

Elon Musk said Thursday that Verizon’s efforts to provide a critically needed upgrade to the FAA’s air traffic control system is failing. And he said that it is important that Starlink, a unit of his SpaceX satellite and rocket company,

The Federal Aviation Administration is close to canceling a $2.4 billion contract with Verizon to provide vital air traffic control services in favor of Elon Musk’s Starlink, according to the Washington Post.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering canceling its $2.4 billion air traffic control communications system contract with Verizon and

The FAA is exploring multiple technologies, such as satellites, fiber, and wireless, to upgrade the U.S. air traffic control system. Discussions are ongoing about reassigning a $2.4 billion contract from Verizon to Elon Musk's Starlink.

The Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly. The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure,

Without citing evidence, Musk said the air traffic control communication system managed by L3Harris is “breaking down” and "the situation is extremely dire."

SpaceX has aborted the latest launch of Starship in what was set to be a crucial test of the Mars-bound rocket. The lift off of the 123-metre-tall rocket, which is the biggest rocket ever built, was scrubbed just before 6pm local time (12am GMT) on Monday at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas.

The latest test of Starship comes after an explosion over the Caribbean sent commercial airlines scattering to avoid falling rocket debris

Elon Musk’s SpaceX set to launch its eighth Starship test flight SpaceX is expected to launch its eighth Starship test flight in Boca Chica, Texas Subscribe to The Sun: Get The Sun's latest news, exclusives,

SpaceX delayed the Starship rocket test flight due to an unspecified issue. The launch, aimed at furthering Mars colonization, was to occur from Texas. A reschedule is expected within 24 hours. The rocket requires improvements for reliability and safety before future crewed missions.