I asked SpaceX head of comms this weekend on details about Starlink in Ukraine. Didn't hear back. Still not clear on what's being provided to whom and how it will function amid the conflict. Will report on it if I get answers from the co. (or employees) obviously.
Critics cast a skeptical eye on seemingly noble Musk promises. Why? There was the "mini-sub" he said Tesla would develop to help rescue kids from a flooded cave system in Thailand. It was promoted, went nowhere and drew criticism resulting in this fight: cnbc.com/2019/12/03/elo…
Musk also said he'd donate "FDA-approved ventilators" to hospitals (after downplaying covid19 and comparing it to the common cold). The ventilators were cpap and bipap machines- cnbc.com/2020/04/01/tes… still valuable- but not the invasive vents hospitals use to treat...
...the worst covid cases. There was also a promise and video showing Tesla would make ventilators (if needed) from car parts. Other automakers manufactured ventilators, not Tesla. Tesla's prototype and video however got lots of press.
These days, followers also have questions about where Musk's money is going exactly when he donates it. Most recently, filings revealed he is donating $5.7B of Tesla shares to an unknown charity or charities...
cnbc.com/2022/02/15/elo…
cnbc.com/2022/02/15/elo…
SpaceX has rallied before to make and donate PPE during the pandemic. cnbc.com/2020/03/25/spa… But it's fair to ask for specifics from Musk and SpaceX about whether and how Starlink is able to help people in Ukraine (and who exactly).
If you are interested in Musk, SpaceX, Tesla and climate issues check out my reporting for @cnbc and my colleagues' on autos @MikeWayland aerospace @thesheetztweetz politics @schwartzbCNBC and climate tech & policy @emma_newburger @PippaStevens13 @CatClifford @katie_brigham
#editbutton ("for" details)
if you are interested in other people, organizations & ways to help the people of Ukraine the author of On Tyranny has some well researched suggestions
https://twitter.com/TimothyDSnyder/status/1497679670405386243
Update! A shipment of Starlink equipment arrived in Ukraine. cnbc.com/2022/02/28/ukr… by @thesheetztweetz @cnbc
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