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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

FCC fines Swarm Technologies $900K over unauthorized satellite launch [techcrunch.com]

Back in March came the surprising news that a satellite communications company still more or less in stealth mode had launched several tiny craft into orbit — against the explicit instructions of the FCC. The company, Swarm Technologies, now faces a $900,000 penalty from the agency, as well as extra oversight of its continuing operations.

[...] Unfortunately, the units are so small — about a quarter the size of a standard cubesat, which is already quite tiny — that the FCC felt they would be too difficult to track, and did not approve the launch.

Swarm, perhaps thinking it better to ask forgiveness than file the paperwork for permission, launched anyway in January aboard India's PSLV-C40, which carried more than a dozen other passengers to space as well. (I asked Swarm and the launch provider, Spaceflight, at the time for comment but never heard back.) The FCC obviously didn't like this, and began an investigation shortly afterwards.

Slap on the wrist?

Also at Engadget [engadget.com] and Quartz [qz.com].

Previously: India Launches 31 Satellites, Puts Cartosat-2 Into Orbit [soylentnews.org]
FCC Accuses Startup of Unauthorized Launch of Commercial Satellites [soylentnews.org]

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