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Author Topic: US Company In Big Trouble After Launching Four Satellites Without Permission  (Read 1949 times)

Offline ChrisSmolinski

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A US company appears to have gone rogue and launched a fleet of satellites into orbit, despite not having permission as they could endanger other satellites.

The start-up company from California is called Swarm Technologies, founded in 2016 by former Google and Apple engineers Sara Spangelo and Benjamin Longmier. On January 12, 2018, the secretive company launched its first four satellites, called SpaceBees, on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket from the Indian Space Agency (ISRO) along with 30 other satellites.

However, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the US, which provides accreditation for American launches, previously denied the company a launch license. It appears they launched their satellites without approval.

“If confirmed, this would be the first ever unauthorized launch of commercial satellites,” noted IEEE Spectrum, who broke the story.

http://www.iflscience.com/space/us-company-in-big-trouble-after-launching-four-satellites-without-permission/

https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/satellites/fcc-accuses-stealthy-startup-of-launching-rogue-satellites
Chris Smolinski
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Offline Rob.

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Pirate satellites.

How long until this becomes more widespread?
- Rob

CT/MA border
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Offline Azimuth Coordinator

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I think the FCC is going to be the least of their problems...  I'm sure a few other 3 letter agency's are going to pay them a visit
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Offline JimIO

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I think the FCC is going to be the least of their problems...  I'm sure a few other 3 letter agency's are going to pay them a visit

USSF is 4 letters.

Offline Josh

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If someone outside the US launched them how does the fcc get involved?
We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations.

Offline JimIO

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If someone outside the US launched them how does the fcc get involved?

With Lawyers.

Offline redhat

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If NASA considers them a threat, I would guess the USAF would be dispatched to blow them out of the sky.

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Offline JimIO

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If Alex Jones thinks they are a threat he can get Ted Nugent to shoot em down.
« Last Edit: March 15, 2018, 0344 UTC by JimIO »

Offline redhat

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Good point.  Texas must be running out of ferral hogs and good old Ted needs something to do.

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Offline Josh

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We do not encourage any radio operations contrary to regulations.

Offline JimIO

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cough

https://mackquigley.wordpress.com/alex-jones-is-bill-hicks/

I don't get it. Both are on Wikipedia.
One is dead and the other is on WW (what's the C stand for?) R.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2018, 0023 UTC by JimIO »

 

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