European Space Agency: "Musk Should Not Be Allowed to Dominate the Space Economy"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Josef Aschbacher, Secretary General of the European Space Agency (ESA), has openly criticized Starlink, the satellite communication network business led by Elon Musk's space company SpaceX, and called for sanctions from various countries. This is interpreted as a warning that Starlink could significantly stifle the activities of European space companies and potentially lead to a situation where a single individual dominates the entire space economy. As opposition from countries other than the United States grows, concerns about the viability of Starlink's business are also expected to increase.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 5th (local time), Secretary General Aschbacher stated in an interview with major foreign media, "European countries are allowing Elon Musk to set the rules in space," and added, "We must not allow Musk to dominate the space economy." He continued, "If SpaceX's satellite communication network service Starlink monopolizes the low Earth orbit communication network, other space companies in Europe will suffer significant damage," emphasizing, "No one person should monopolize half of the world's satellites, and sanctions from various countries will be necessary."

Starlink is SpaceX's low Earth orbit satellite communication network service, planning to launch more than 40,000 satellites into low Earth orbit below 500 km altitude to establish a communication network accessible anywhere in the world. SpaceX is preparing initial services by launching about 1,600 satellites this year and is accepting pre-orders from various countries. It is known to have secured over 200,000 customers in about 14 countries so far.

However, as too many satellites cluster simultaneously in the limited low Earth orbit space, the risk of collisions with satellites from other countries or companies is increasing, causing backlash from various countries. In March of this year, a Starlink satellite came within 50 meters of a satellite operated by the UK space company OneWeb.

There are also moves to impose actual sanctions on Starlink services in countries other than the United States. According to CNBC, the Indian government ordered Starlink's Indian branch on the 29th of last month to stop accepting pre-orders, stating that Starlink's service violates Indian telecommunications law. The Chinese government is also reported to have denied Starlink business approval last month, and SpaceX has announced that it will not pursue business within China.