The Federal Aviation Administration is close to canceling a $2.4 billion contract to overhaul a communications system that serves as the backbone of the nation's air traffic control system and awarding the work to Elon Musk's Starlink, according to two people briefed on the plans. The move to cancel a major contract in favor of a venture led by Musk " who is leading President Donald Trump's disruptive overhaul of the federal government through the U.S. DOGE Service " would represent a significant test of protections against conflicts of interest in government projects. It would be an especially extraordinary step for the typically cautious FAA, whose systems are vital to the safety of millions of air travelers every day.