FCC fines Swarm $900K for unauthorized satellite launch

Re:FCC fines Swarm $900K for unauthorized satellite launch by bobthepanda on Friday December 21, 2018 @02:36PM (#18735896)

What exactly would be a good alternative? Jail time is also not a good penalty. See: marijuana.

The fines, by contrast, seem to be working pretty well: how many other companies get busted by the FCC for violating satellite launching regulations? The fact that it is so rare is a testament to how effective the deterrent has been in regulating companies in this space.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:FCC fines Swarm $900K for unauthorized satellite launch by Traster on Friday December 21, 2018 @03:50PM (#18736528)

I think the fact that Swarm consulted with the FCC, had their plan to launch satellites rejected and then decided to launch anyway indicates the fines weren't suitable. A simple 3 year ban on further launches would've changed that. I find the fact that Swarm did this knowingly particularly egregious. I'm also not sure the lack of violations is a good indicator that the FCC is working since I don't think there's a particularly big sample of companies doing this for other structural reasons.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:FCC fines Swarm $900K for unauthorized satellite launch by gg82 on Friday December 21, 2018 @07:41PM (#18738067)

If they broke the existing law what difference is a ban going to make?

[ Parent | on HN ]