Financial Dominance Within SpaceX
Starlink has become the primary financial driver within Elon Musk’s business portfolio, described by Business Insider as the "crown jewel" of his empire. The satellite internet service accounted for more than 60% of the $18.6 billion in revenue that SpaceX generated last year. It stands as the only division of the company to turn a profit.
The scale of Starlink’s operations continues to expand rapidly. The company currently provides internet access to 13 million people across more than 167 countries. To support further growth, the company plans to launch tens of thousands of additional satellites. These launches are intended to transform Starlink into the world's premier wireless carrier and broadband provider.
Strategic Value in Conflict Zones
The utility of Starlink in remote and war-torn regions has granted Musk a rare level of immunity from political gravity, despite controversies surrounding his other business ventures. In Ukraine, military forces utilize Starlink satellites as a communications system that cannot be hacked or jammed by Russian radio warfare.
This capability allows ground teams to adapt targets mid-mission and remotely control drones. The technology’s reliability in high-stakes environments has made the network increasingly critical for global connectivity, from the front lines of Ukraine to remote areas of the Pacific.
Controversies Over Access and Control
Musk’s control over Starlink access has drawn scrutiny regarding his influence on military operations. In 2023, Musk refused a request to activate Starlink to assist a Ukrainian assault on Crimea. He stated that he was concerned SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war.
Reuters reported last July that Musk jeopardized a 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive by cutting Starlink access to frontline troops. In response to these incidents, Musk previously said in a March 2025 X post that he would never turn off Ukrainian terminals or use the threat of doing so as a bargaining chip, regardless of his disagreements with the country's government.