Musk Allies Made FAA Staff Sign NDAs to Keep New Project Secret(www.rollingstone.com)
24 pointsby cmurf8 months ago4 comments
  • BLKNSLVR8 months ago
    A telling data point to keep in mind, useful in various different contexts, is the contrast between what is being kept secret and what is being made openly public.

    In this case:

    - cuts to government spending are being made public (with little accuracy checking)

    - additions to government spending are being kept secret

    Was there a tender process for this? That information would generally be somewhat public (as in various private companies would need to know about it in order to quote).

    Is it normal for NDAs to new signed for this kind of thing?

  • vFunct8 months ago
    Why is Elon trying to implement infrastructure using wireless networking like Starlink? Wireless networking is unreliable and low bandwidth. It should only be used as an emergency backup system only. It should never be used as a primary communications network for critical systems like FAA air traffic control.

    The original contract with Verizon to implement fiber optic infrastructure is the correct one.

    • al2o3cr8 months ago

          Why is Elon trying to implement infrastructure using wireless networking like Starlink?
      It's not that complicated: he doesn't own a fiber-optic company
    • GuinansEyebrows8 months ago
      Aside from the obvious (he makes unacceptable amounts of money through government contracts), technical superiority is often one of the least important factors when it comes to a large organization making a technology purchasing decision when the rubber actually meets the road.
    • 8 months ago
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    • dzhiurgis8 months ago
      You can't put fiber optic in planes...
      • vFunct8 months ago
        Why would you need fiber optics in planes for control towers to communicate with other control towers? Were the planes used as routers?
      • bdangubic8 months ago
        if there is a will there is a way :)
    • techpineapple8 months ago
      Money. Power.
  • cmurf8 months ago
    See also advice from an attorney with subject matter expertise:

    If you work for the FAA, and you were forced to sign an NDA that prohibits post-employment disclosures of anything other than classified information, please call a lawyer.

    NOW.

    https://bsky.app/profile/bradmossesq.bsky.social/post/3lnobz...

  • cmurf8 months ago
    Archive:

    https://archive.is/4RWKg