The Swiss Alpine village that has rebelled against Elon Musk’s multi-million dollar decision: “We were shocked”

In the small town of Leuk, located in Switzerland’s Valais canton, a heated debate has erupted over a new project tied to Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

The plan calls for building one of Europe’s largest Starlink ground stations, featuring 40 satellite antennas designed to link the orbital constellation with internet networks on the ground.

The proposal

The project was submitted by local company Signalhorn AG, which filed a construction request with Leuk’s municipal authorities. The site already hosts antenna facilities dating back to the 1970s. The new plan would replace one of those structures with a wider array of antennas, each about 8 feet tall.

Community reactions

Leuk’s 4,300 residents are split. Some expressed shock when they learned of the construction request. Opponents worry about potential health risks from high-frequency radiation. Local activists cite a World Health Organization study that does not completely rule out risks from electromagnetic fields. They’ve launched a citizen initiative titled “40 New Satellite Antennas: No, Not Like This.”

Supporters meanwhile, including municipal officials, argue the station could bring economic benefits to the region, creating jobs and boosting tax revenue in an area with limited industry.

The decision

On December 8, 2025, Leuk’s municipal government approved the Starlink station, rejecting objections from residents. Earlier in October, Switzerland’s Federal Office of Communications had already granted SpaceX a provisional license to use radio spectrum for testing and development.

Critics, however, aren’t backing down. They announced plans to appeal the decision to the state council, vowing to continue the legal fight to block or reconsider the project.

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