abc.net.au 01/02/2019
There are warnings about "runaway cowboy-like behaviour" from private companies joining the space race after a US tech start-up was slapped with a historic fine last month for launching unauthorised satellites.
Swarm Technologies was fined $US900,000 ($1.28 million) on December 21 for launching four mini satellites in January 2018 after explicitly being denied permission by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over concerns about the ability to track them.
An investigation found Swarm used an unaffiliated launch company in India to get around the restrictions, but was caught out when the satellites transmitted signals back to a station in Georgia in the US.
"We will aggressively enforce the FCC's requirements that companies seek FCC authorisation prior to deploying and operating communications satellites and Earth stations," FCC Enforcement Bureau chief Rosemary Harold said.
"These important obligations protect other operators against radio interference and collisions, making space a safer place to operate."
Swarm's website says it is striving to create "the world's lowest-cost satellite network".
It is believed to be the first US company to launch unauthorised satellites, which were roughly the size of smartphones, and the fine is historic in the example it sets.
More:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-03/swarm-technologies-satellite-launch-sparks-warning-about-nasa/10678328
