AlphaAtlas
[H]ard|Gawd
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Earlier this year, Swarm Technologies got in trouble with the FCC for putting four tiny satellites into orbit without permission. Authorities and experts claimed that the tiny objects were too difficult to track, which makes them a danger to other satellites in orbit. Swarm was reportedly fined $900,000 for the transgression late last month, and now, IEEE Spectrum reports that Swarm is asking the FCC for permission to launch 150 of the micro-satellites a mere day after paying the fine. The satellites each weigh "about the same as a can of soup," and measure about 4.3 inches along their longest edges, making them orders of magnitude smaller than communications satellites from competitors like SpaceX.
At first glance, the new constellation might look even riskier than the experimental CubeSats the FCC barred. While there were only four devices in the original application, this one would see more than 500 satellites being launched into orbit over the constellation’s 15-year lifetime. This is because there are still wisps of atmosphere at Swarm's chosen altitudes of between 450 and 550 kilometers, dragging down the CubeSats to burn up in as little as two and a half years. On the way down, each satellite would also pass through the 400 kilometer band where the International Space Station orbits. At the lowest altitude of 450 kilometers, Swarm's satellites would have to be replaced at least four times over the 15 years. However, Swarm's new application goes to great lengths to persuade the FCC that its tiny satellites are much less dangerous than the agency first thought. For a start, being so small and light, they are virtually guaranteed to burn up completely in the atmosphere, thus posing no risk to people on Earth (unlike SpaceX's satellites).
At first glance, the new constellation might look even riskier than the experimental CubeSats the FCC barred. While there were only four devices in the original application, this one would see more than 500 satellites being launched into orbit over the constellation’s 15-year lifetime. This is because there are still wisps of atmosphere at Swarm's chosen altitudes of between 450 and 550 kilometers, dragging down the CubeSats to burn up in as little as two and a half years. On the way down, each satellite would also pass through the 400 kilometer band where the International Space Station orbits. At the lowest altitude of 450 kilometers, Swarm's satellites would have to be replaced at least four times over the 15 years. However, Swarm's new application goes to great lengths to persuade the FCC that its tiny satellites are much less dangerous than the agency first thought. For a start, being so small and light, they are virtually guaranteed to burn up completely in the atmosphere, thus posing no risk to people on Earth (unlike SpaceX's satellites).