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FCC: Startup Sent Rogue Satellites Into Space in 'Unauthorized Launch'

A Silicon Valley startup is accused of endangering other spacecraft orbiting the Earth.

The Federal Communications Commission is reportedly reviewing the "apparent unauthorized launch" of four satellites into space—the first ever rogue launch of commercial satellites. A Silicon Valley startup called Swarm Technologies has been accused of conducting the launch earlier this year, and the FCC has now warned the company its satellites may pose a collision risk for other spacecraft orbiting the Earth. The startup's four small satellites—SpaceBee-1, 2, 3, and 4—were apparently piggybacked onto a rocket that blasted off from India's east coast along with approved cargo on Jan. 12, IEEE Spectrum reports. Part of a new space-based Internet of Things communications network, the experimental satellites were the subject of a rejected FCC application just a few weeks before the launch, and the FCC has just revoked Swarm's authorization for a follow-up mission in light of the rogue launch. Swarm was preparing for a large market trial of its system with two Fortune 100 companies, plans that now appear to be in jeopardy.