The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is getting a much needed upgrade after years. Reportedly, the FAA said Wednesday that upgrading the aging U.S. air traffic control system will require multiple technologies and companies as it tests Starlink systems at several agency sites.
“That is why we are testing multiple communication technologies, including satellites, fiber and wireless to ensure the safety of the national airspace system. Beyond that, no decisions for other deployments have been made,” the FAA said.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation. Established in 1958, it ensures air safety, promotes the development of air traffic control systems, and sets standards for aviation training, aircraft manufacturing, and maintenance.
The FAA oversees the certification of pilots, air carriers, and aircraft, and it enforces regulations to maintain the safety and efficiency of air travel. Additionally, the agency manages the National Airspace System (NAS) and works to advance the integration of new technologies like drones and electric aircraft into the aviation industry.
It is unclear whether the recent spate of plane crashes in the U.S. have spurred the FAA to act, but reportedly lawmakers criticized the antiquated air traffic system at a Senate House hearing Tuesday.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told Fox News on Tuesday that Starlink is “part of the solution” but not the entire answer.
“There’s some terminals, like up in Alaska, where it’s hard to access fiber wires. There’s some facilities that Starlink can be helpful,” Duffy said, adding “we want to make sure we have fiber connected systems in place so (Starlink) can play some part of it, but not all of it.”
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What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, the private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. The service aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved and remote areas worldwide by deploying a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Starlink offers internet connectivity in regions where traditional broadband infrastructure is unavailable or unreliable. It works by using a constellation of thousands of small satellites orbiting Earth, which communicate with user terminals on the ground. Starlink has the potential to transform global connectivity, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.