{
  "id": 12335787,
  "title": "The crown jewel in Elon Musk's empire",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/the-crown-jewel-in-elon-musks-empire",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T08:15:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/starlink-elon-musk-business-empire-crown-jewel-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet service, has become essential to 13 million people in over 167 countries. Generating more than 60% of SpaceX's $18.6 billion revenue in 2023, Starlink is the only profitable part of Musk's business. Musk has plans to launch tens of thousands more satellites, aiming to transform Starlink into a global wireless carrier. Despite controversies surrounding Musk, Starlink's reliability and lack of alternatives make it indispensable for adventurers, digital nomads, and even military forces like that of Ukraine. In Ukraine, Starlink has been crucial in the war against Russia, providing a secure and uncontrollable communication system that cannot be hacked or jammed by Russian radio warfare. This has given the Ukrainian military a significant technological advantage, though it also grants Musk unprecedented power and influence in global affairs.",
  "summary": "From the front lines of Ukraine to the remote Pacific, the world is increasingly reliant on Starlink.",
  "key_points": [
    "Starlink provides internet to 13 million globally in 167+ countries",
    "Generated 60% of SpaceX's $18.6B revenue in 2023",
    "Starlink vital for Ukrainian military in Russia-Ukraine war"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Vermögen: Elon Musk ist wieder Dollar-Billionär",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/vermogen-elon-musk-ist-wieder-dollar-billionar",
        "published": "2026-10-06T04:35:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}