Swarm Technologies to Pay FCC $900K for Unauthorized Launch

Swarm’s SpaceBee satellitesSource: Swarm Technologies

Swarm Technologies agreed to pay the The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) $900 thousand over a period of five years, according to an order released Dec. 20. Swarm previously “engaged in unauthorized deployment and operation of satellites, unauthorized operation of earth ground stations, and other unauthorized operation and testing of radio frequency equipment,” according to the FCC.

Swarm launched four Space Basic Electronic Elements (BEEs) from India in January of last year, even after the FCC denied its request for launch.

FCC Commmissioner Michael O’Rielly stated in the filing that “the size of the penalty imposed is probably not significant enough to deter future behavior, but the negative press coverage is likely to prevent this company and others from attempting to do this again.”