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Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

(spaceinafrica.com)
395 points vinnyglennon | 7 comments | 26 Mar 25 16:02 UTC | HN request time: 1.124s | source | bottom
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echoangle ◴[26 Mar 25 18:51 UTC] No.43485519[source]▶
Don’t want to belittle the achievement but they launched it as in „had it launched by the commercial launch provider SpaceX“, not on a self-developed rocket as it sounds like on the first read.
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heraldgeezer ◴[26 Mar 25 22:35 UTC] No.43488249[source]▶
These types of countries can't even keep power, internet WAN, mobile RAN/Core, infra up on a consistent basis. I knew it had to be something like this. Yes, mask off. Yes, I am tired.
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1. walrus01 ◴[26 Mar 25 22:49 UTC] No.43488365[source]▶
> can't even keep power, internet WAN, mobile RAN/Core, infra up on a consistent basis.

You could say this as well about significant parts of Appalachia in the US and other impoverished regions of the US, and many first nations reserves in remote parts of Canada too.

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2. kortilla ◴[26 Mar 25 22:51 UTC] No.43488380[source]▶
Yes, and it would surprising if someone claimed those First Nations launched a satellite.
3. heraldgeezer ◴[26 Mar 25 23:54 UTC] No.43488901[source]▶
I really liked Peter Santellos video on Appalachia. Really beautiful landscape and small towns. There was affluent housing there too and pretty sure they would have cell service?

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyPgwIPkHo5If6xyrkr-...

But Appalachia are not launching satellites. They DO have a space telescope!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bank_Telescope

Very nice video also showing nice landscapes and towns :)

Exploring the Secret US Government Town with No Internet & Phone Service (100% Disconnected?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWJBAGrG0ms

>and many first nations reserves in remote parts of Canada too

Ok, but it would be suprising if an article said they are launching a sattelite?

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4. sureglymop ◴[27 Mar 25 06:26 UTC] No.43490876[source]▶
But why does it tire you that Botswana created a satellite, whatever other struggles they may have aside? What's your connection to Botswana?
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5. xienze ◴[27 Mar 25 11:03 UTC] No.43492294[source]▶
> You could say this as well about significant parts of Appalachia in the US and other impoverished regions of the US

And the reaction here if say West Virginia launched a satellite would be the same: why are you wasting money doing this when <some statistic about widespread poor infrastructure and poverty>.

6. heraldgeezer ◴[27 Mar 25 13:00 UTC] No.43493148{3}[source]▶
You misunderstand. It's not specific to Botswana. Just that type of country.
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7. walrus01 ◴[27 Mar 25 21:44 UTC] No.43498535{4}[source]▶
'that type of country' is wrong to spend any money on a space program, is the root of your argument? Just to be clear?