Live data from Hacker News

SpaceX can't broadcast Earth images because of a murky license

cnet.com

1–10 of 139 posts

Re: SpaceX can't broadcast Earth images because of a murky license

#3
This makes me wince. Is broad interpretation of that rule really the best use of an "extremely small" office that probably has a really good reason for existing otherwise? These sorts of regulatory foot faults have a very real cost to innovation. Think of what these videos have done for public interest in space travel and the imaginations of millions. Unless there's some overwhelming reason for this rule to apply in these circumstances, it's time to rewrite or reinterpret.

Re: SpaceX can't broadcast Earth images because of a murky license

#4
post #2

But why does the license exist?

The NOAA statement on the issue seems to imply that the rule exists because the government wants a measure of control over images of the Earth's surface for "national security" reasons.

[0] http://www.noaa.gov/media-release/noaa-statement-on-todays-b...

Re: SpaceX can't broadcast Earth images because of a murky license

#5
post #3

This makes me wince. Is broad interpretation of that rule really the best use of an "extremely small" office that probably has a really good reason for existing otherwise? These sorts of regulatory foot faults have a very real cost to innovation. Think of what these videos have done for public interest in space travel and the imaginations of millions. Unless there's some overwhelming reason for this rule to apply in…

"Extremely small office" is a typical public sector reply in the PIIGS in order to get a bribe to 'make things move faster'.

Or a piece of bureacracy in order to harass anyone we want, anytime we want.

Also.. an "Act" on what to do in Space? Seriously? So when that thing flies over (e.g.) Japan should it follow Japan's laws? Or we only count the base location? In which case movie it to (e.g.) Greenland and problem solved!

All these years of watching Star Trek universe (series & movies) taught me nothing!!!

Re: SpaceX can't broadcast Earth images because of a murky license

#6
post #2

But why does the license exist?

Reading :

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.

Re: SpaceX can't broadcast Earth images because of a murky license

#8
post #2

But why does the license exist?

There are privacy implications for air or space based surveillance of the Earth (rather more so for high resolution photography of specific areas of land than video in which the earth is merely a backdrop, but drawing that distinction isn't necessarily trivial). The solution the United States has adopted is to regulate the extent to which commercial entities are entitled to distribute such imagery and video; licensing who is entitled to distribute such images forms part of that regime.

Re: SpaceX can't broadcast Earth images because of a murky license

#10
post #7

The US owns the earth now? What a croc of shit.

Hey, (almost) everyone on Star Trek speaks english, with an American accent (apart this perfect human being called Jean Luc Piccard!!)(or with slight Russian accent). Even the Ferenghi!

That should have made it clear for you :)

Post reply on HN