Starshield Limits Hit Ukraine as Shuttle Center Opens

Ukraine’s armed forces said SpaceX restrictions on its Starshield satellite service disrupted military missions. Starlink and Starshield have become part of the country’s military operations. Serhiy Beskrestnov, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on weapons technologies, said troops received no warning before the restrictions took effect.

A private network in wartime

“Our armed forces did not receive a warning about these restrictions, and this led to the failure of a number of missions,” Beskrestnov wrote on social media. He said the limits applied to Starshield devices traveling over 100 miles per hour and were tied to “the current political situation.” SpaceX calls devices that broadcast satellite internet to users “terminals.” They can go on vehicles or drones and guide them at high speeds.

For years, Ukraine’s armed forces have relied on Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, which uses satellites in lower earth orbit. More recently, they’ve also used Starshield, its military-grade sister service. Ukraine said some military operations had been jeopardized and specifically cited the Starshield restrictions.

Ukraine’s defense ministry said SpaceX unilaterally restricted Starshield terminals. The limits complicate drone missions, the ministry said, and reduce capacity for frontline logistics, reconnaissance and relaying signals. Ukrainian forces reported the disruption on Tuesday, as Russian attacks increased and pressure from the White House mounted.

The Trump administration has pressed Ukraine to limit strikes on Russia and stop attacking Russian oil refineries so more diesel can reach global markets. High fuel prices have fueled inflation and weakened prospects for Mr. Trump’s Republican Party ahead of midterm elections next month.

Public access, private donations

In Los Angeles, the California Science Center will open the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center on Nov. 13, with the Space Shuttle Endeavour as its central display. Advance reservations begin Oct. 21 at 9:30 a.m.; California Science Center members can get early access beginning Monday at the same time.

The 200,000-square-foot expansion will display Endeavour in a launch-ready position within a complete shuttle stack, including an orbiter, solid rocket boosters and a rare surviving external tank. The center says no other display in the world will have that complete combination. The expansion will double the museum’s exhibit space and include the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery. Visitors can see more than 100 artifacts and 100 hands-on exhibits focused on science, technology and engineering.

The center’s opening completes the third and final phase of a 33-year-long master plan, also described as a three-decade, $750-million plan to develop the museum. The expansion goal was $450 million. The EndeavourLA fundraising campaign helped acquire and temporarily display the shuttle, while also supporting exhibits, programs and operations. Donors included the Samuel Oschin Family Foundation, Korean Air, the Kresa Family Foundation, the state of California, corporate supporters and other foundations.

Endeavour completed 25 successful space missions from 1992 to 2011. In 2012, it landed at LAX atop a modified Boeing 747, then made its final journey across Los Angeles to the California Science Center at Exposition Park. ZGF Architects designed its 20-story permanent home, which the center completed in April.

“Fourteen years after Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived at the California Science Center, following its incredible overland journey across Los Angeles and Inglewood, reservations will soon become available to see it in its permanent home this November,” said Jeffrey Rudolph, president and chief executive of the California Science Center. Rudolph said in June, “We are incredibly excited, and we actually think people are gonna come from all over the world to see this thing.” General admission to the California Science Center is free, though reservations for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, including the shuttle, are encouraged.