Seems like NASA's complaint of "it'll be too hard to avoid collisions" is a weak one... With software automation all these events could be handled automatically.<p>The cynic in me says NASA has been encouraged to put in an objection by SpaceX who run a competing constellation. Spacex's constellation requires special ground stations, unlike this which can transmit direct to an existing 4G phone. That makes this a big business risk for SpaceX.
I'm glad NASA is doing the right thing here. I hope that non-US organisations were also able to submit comment, as the potential consequences are truly global.