Reading : https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html I'm guessing: * They don't want the satellite

Reading : https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/CRSRA/licenseHome.html I'm guessing: * They don't want the satellite taking and selling photos of secret US government stuff (or Israel or other areas that would cause the US government grief). * They want to make sure the satellite doesn't crash or otherwise cause problems for which the US would be liable.