EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ – Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, is testing communications equipment at the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) William J. Hughes Technical Center in South Jersey. The testing, revealed by the FAA on Monday, involves a terminal facility in Atlantic City and two terminals at non-safety critical sites in Alaska.
The FAA’s facility, located at the Atlantic City International Airport, serves as a key aviation research hub. This testing aligns with the FAA’s mandate from the 2024 FAA Reauthorization bill, which requires the agency to address telecommunications challenges in remote areas, including investigating the causes of weather reporting system failures and the supporting telecommunications infrastructure.
The FAA has been considering Starlink as a potential solution for modernizing the nation’s air traffic communications system, which is currently operated on an aging Verizon network. Starlink could play a pivotal role in replacing the ground-based systems with satellite technology. Musk has voiced concerns about the current system’s reliability, emphasizing the need for modernization to enhance aviation safety.
While the FAA has been exploring Starlink’s capabilities, there have been questions about potential conflicts of interest due to Musk’s roles as both a senior White House adviser and the head of multiple companies, including SpaceX, which operates Starlink.
Testing at the FAA’s Egg Harbor Township site is part of ongoing efforts to modernize air traffic control and communications systems, including the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). Despite significant investment, NextGen has seen mixed success, with concerns about its progress and efficiency.
