E-Newsletter

American leadership in space represents a new frontier for technological progress.

Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX, recently undertook an orbital mission with the launch of its Starship rocket. Not to be confused with the Enterprise of Star Trek fame, the Starship launch is a steppingstone for something greater. SpaceX and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are working together to lead manned flights to the moon. 

The first step in reaching this goal will rely on low-Earth orbit (LEO). LEO refers to the lowest reach of space closest to Earth and the same altitude where the International Space Station operates. The Starship launch successfully reached LEO for the first time, setting in motion the next phase for Americans to return to the moon.

SpaceX’s LEO satellite technologies are not just seen as critical to our prospects in space.

At the federal level, I continue to advocate for LEO technologies with helping rural communities access satellite internet. 

Most recently, I delivered opening remarks at an online event hosted by the Connect Everyone Coalition. The webinar focused on the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene and connectivity lessons from the natural disaster.

During my remarks, I highlighted the connectivity issues that impacted Ninth District communities. 

Helene devastated our public communications networks. The disaster disabled services provided by our cell phone carriers. Further, the floods that swamped our region also washed away fiber optic infrastructure.

Because of the loss of communications, family members struggled to confirm the safety of their loved ones and first responder crews faced challenges with emergency operations. 

These issues went on for days.

It was unclear when internet and cell phone coverage would be restored, so one group relied on SpaceX for help.

Wise County’s Health Wagon, which traveled to Damascus to help serve and treat those affected by Helene, turned to SpaceX’s Starlink.

Starlink consists of a network of LEO satellites which serves high-speed, reliable broadband internet to communities on Earth. This network reduces connectivity dead zones and provides more coverage in regions like Southwest Virginia.

Thus, Starlink is particularly helpful for mountainous and rural regions where fiber installation is extremely difficult and cost prohibitive. Amazon is launching a similar LEO program which should be available in Virginia in late 2027.

Thanks to a portable Starlink unit, a rarity in our area at the time, the Health Wagon could access internet service.

This episode showed that even in times of emergency, cell phone users can take advantage of LEO technologies.

As the recovery from Helene continues, I remain committed to expanding our broadband capabilities through LEO technologies to prepare our region for the next Helene.

Federal initiatives to support broadband innovations like LEO technologies include the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

In 2024, I advocated for Governor Youngkin’s BEAD Final Proposal. This set in motion various opportunities to expand broadband in Virginia.

The federal entity that runs BEAD is the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA).

This summer, NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth testified before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, on which I serve.

During the hearing, she discussed BEAD as well as signaled support for LEO technologies.

Later in the summer, Administrator Roth visited Bedford County to tour local broadband projects.

There are approximately 1,600 Bedford County addresses that will gain new access to broadband through BEAD funding, according to the NTIA. While new fiber installation will serve a majority of these Bedford County locations, SpaceX and Amazon will make LEO broadband available to eligible hard-to-reach locations.

Aside from BEAD, LEO broadband will get an additional boost from a bipartisan Congressional bill.

In the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I supported the SAT Streamlining Act. Following Subcommittee approval, I voted for the bill again in the full Energy and Commerce Committee. 

This bill would modernize a federal agency’s satellite licensing process by setting more precise timelines and a more predictable list of requirements for satellite applications.

In effect, we make it easier for groups to bring LEO technologies to the market to better provide reliable and secure internet access.

I am proud to have taken these actions to bridge the digital divide in Virginia and the United States. 

Broadband in rural America can help our hospitals, schools, businesses and more.

As your federal representative, I will keep fighting for our rural communities to get a fair shot at broadband access.

With the same technologies, we can succeed with broadband while keeping our feet on the ground and reaching for the moon.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/.

 

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