Recent developments in the United States have sparked debates among lawmakers regarding whether Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and owner of Starlink, can exert influence over the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) telecommunications contract. The $2.4 billion agreement signed in 2023 aims to modernize the FAA’s communication infrastructure over the next 15 years—a move that has not only stirred industry circles but also raised broader concerns about the interplay between private innovators and public procurement.