Democratic senators ask Musk to retain records of satellite service restrictions in Ukraine

US Democratic senators have asked SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk to preserve all records connected to restrictions on Ukraine's use of the company's Starlink and Starshield satellite services. The request is set out in a letter seen by The Wall Street Journal and reported by European Pravda.

The letter identifies disruptions that occurred from 13 to 24 October and again on 12 November. Senators Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Chris Coons of Delaware questioned whether vulnerabilities associated with those restrictions remained present in systems used by the US government. Their concerns cover both the restrictions themselves and SpaceX's authority over the services.

Shaheen and Coons said the limits raised serious questions about the company's control of communications channels essential to national security. They also criticised the lack of transparency around the decisions. As part of their request for information, the senators asked Musk to clarify whether anyone outside SpaceX had authorised the restrictions placed on the services in Ukraine.

The records sought extend back to 1 September. The letter requests all communications about the use of Starlink and Starshield in Ukraine, alongside correspondence involving Musk, SpaceX executives, the White House and the Pentagon. The demand therefore covers communications within the company as well as exchanges involving the administration.

The request comes as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January following their victory in the 4 November midterm elections. They intend to begin a series of investigations into the administration's actions relating to the war in Ukraine once the new Congress convenes.

Coons is expected to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the incoming Congress. Shaheen currently serves as the committee's ranking Democrat, but she will depart the Senate when her present term ends. Both senators signed the letter seeking answers from Musk about the satellite service restrictions.

The Senate request follows a separate call from members of the House of Representatives for Ukrainian military access to be restored. A total of 105 lawmakers belonging to the bipartisan Ukraine Caucus have urged the Trump administration and SpaceX to reinstate the Ukrainian military's full access to Starshield. That appeal concerns the same system included in the senators' request for records.