It does not appear that the international aspect is functioning. Or even being acknowledged by the US.
If there was functional international oversight, then either India wouldn't have launched them, or they had permission and the fcc is talking out of turn.
The only complaining I've seen was that the FCC was ignored. I have not heard anything about an international outfit either being ignored, or even existing.
An Indian launched satellite does not seem to be in the fcc jurisdiction.
They can make requirements for a us based company policys or us based launches, but I don't see how they can have any authority over space, or other nations.
Note, I am not opposed to regulating, or holding this outfit accountable. But I think the US is way out of line by allowing an internally focused entity to engage in international and interplanetary relations.
In my opinion this should all be coordinated through an international outfit, and overseen locally by Nasa or another space agency. Not federal bean-counters.
If there was functional international oversight, then either India wouldn't have launched them, or they had permission and the fcc is talking out of turn.
Looks like the oversight wasn't strict enough. Maybe they just claimed FCC had approved or confirmed a few months prior that the paperwork was underway, and it wasn't doublechecked. As a launch provider, you won't be known as the one who makes it hard for the customers and in doubt cancels.
I have not heard anything about an international outfit either being ignored, or even existing.
Because the sats are too small to be detected. As far as we know they might have only launched dummyloads to test the eject and deploy and then burn up in the atmosphere. Facts are thin but it's interesting because it would be the first of its kind case.
They can make requirements for a us based company policies or us based launches, but I don't see how they can have any authority over space, or other nations.
For space it's not relevant where the launch is based and it's common to launch from foreign countries. But space "law" hasn't kept up with private companies, it assumes everyone who launches has one or multiple countries, where the laws are followed.
Note, I am not opposed to regulating
I agree, such finite things must be regulated
In my opinion this should all be coordinated through an international outfit, and overseen locally by Nasa or another space agency. Not federal bean-counters.
I think the idea was to offload the cost of bureaucracy to those nations who fly to space. But NASA shouldn't oversee itself. And since the FCC regulates the rest of the radio spectrum, why not satellite communications, which was the primary use when the treaties were made.
I think the idea was to offload the cost of bureaucracy to those nations who fly to space.
Reasonable idea, but bad execution. A council or agency formed by the space enabled nations working together as one outfit, is what I would like to see. It's costs can be dumped at the feet of those nations. I just can't wrap my head around the idea of letting the fcc deal with anything or anyone outside the nation, and they certainly should not be entrusted to make decisions on behalf of the planet.
When I suggest Nasa should oversee US space operations, I had meant for them to be subordinate to the international organisation that I imagine. They wouldn't be an 'authority' outside of the US, and would be subject to international oversight and regulation.
I do see a significant conflict of interest as it stands. The fcc mandate is to look out for America, not to look out for mankind. They can only objectively do one, not both.
I think this incedent does expose a need for better international cooperation and organisation.
The international agreements are among countries, and every country has to regulate their private companies as well. In the US apparently the FCC is involved in tracking satellites. After the national bureaucracy has passed the international one begins, but that's AFAIK handled by a government agency.