Trackable objects in Low Earth Orbit. One of these may be for communication freedom someday. (via European Space Agency)
At the Chaos Communication Congress in Berlin, an "unsensorable internet" via private satellite was proposed. The concept stems from telecom limitations and government sanctions, such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). (SOPA is currently being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee.) By using a satellite, no government or privatly controlled wires are need. Sidestepping earthly bonds may be the only way from true unregulated communication.
have been launched with notable success. However, such a device can only handle a narrow slice of the planet's surface, by comparison to satellites. Some amateurs have placed satellites into low earth orbit. At that position, an object would circle the earth every 90 minutes. The only option is geostationary orbit above the equator.
Although outer space is not governed by any country that sits underneath, people are free to attack/disable satellites at will. In most cases, such an action would be taken as an act of war. The "free internet" people would not be able to do much more than hang their heads low after the event.
As a compliment to the satellite system, a ground based network was also proposed by the "Hackerspace Global Grid" (HGG). The vision is to create a "fallback infrastructure in case of natural and economic disaster to stay connected." Their system creates a land based network of base stations that keep a constant contact with the possible satellite, even in low orbit. There are already DIY systems for tracking satellite positions. Now it is just a matter of relaying the data. The goal is to provide these stations at around $130 USD. Cheap enough when everyone willing to host a node, could.
Both endeavors are plagued with the same stopping limitation, lack of funding. If this does come to fruition by some means, how would you feel to use an internet controlled by hackers?
Cabe
HGG also stated that they would like to place an amateur astronaut on the moon within the next 23 years. I think the Google Lunar X Prize, placing a robot on the moon, should be conquered first.
