4 ms·
Is anyone familiar with space law? What are the specific rules? If they had used a ground station abroad would they still need FCC approval? EDIT: Thanks walru
by paulsutter 8y ago
Is anyone familiar with space law? What are the specific rules? If they had used a ground station abroad would they still need FCC approval?
EDIT: Thanks walrus01/mirashii for the EAR/ITAR points, very helpful
- robotmlg 8y agoAccording to the article, the FCC "regulates all satellite launches by American companies, whether they occur on U.S. soil or elsewhere."
- plopz 8y agoIs it the launch of the satellite or the operation afterwards in regards to communication back to earth that the FCC regulates?
- lbriner 8y agoThe article says they have power over all American companies so probably yes. If they were a foreign company with a satellite over the USA, that would be a more interesting question.
- rdlecler1 8y agoRedomicile to Cayman?
- Majestic121 8y agoUS laws tend to be very extraterritorial, for exemple any bank using dollar at any point in a transaction between two countries unrelated to the US are still bound by US laws. It might work if they get the whole company outside of the US, with no connexions left whatsoever, but then it will be harder to get VC money
- stcredzero 8y agoUS laws tend to be very extraterritorial That's been precisely the point of having the US Navy and the US Marines for well over 200 years!
- walrus01 8y agoIf you need to buy ITAR controlled items it doesn't really matter where you're incorporated, Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Cyprus, whatever. With a supply of ITAR controlled satellite tech cut off you're unable to manufacture. There are purely european based ways of manufacturing satellite stuff but with everything ITAR-related taken off the table, the market choice of components/subassembles is drastically reduced.
- mirashii 8y agoMost components for commercial space have been reclassified to EAR from ITAR in the last few years, so this is not nearly the concern that it was in the past.
- richardcrossley 8y agoA British Overseas Territory. Pretty sure that would be outside the FCC's remit. http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome http://www.gov.ky/portal/page/portal/cighome
- philliphaydon 8y agoYeah cos still American company.