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Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

(spaceinafrica.com)
395 points vinnyglennon | 1 comments | 26 Mar 25 16:02 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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scrappyjoe ◴[27 Mar 25 05:46 UTC] No.43490681[source]▶
So many strong opinions here from commenters who aren’t actually from Botswana. Let me tell you how we actually feel about it here.

We think it’s awesome! The establishment of a university of science and technology in Botswana has been a long hard road, and many mistakes have been made along the way. But the fact that Botswana now has the local skill to deploy a satellite and make use of the data it provides to inform decisions blows my mind.

I grew up in the village that now hosts the university. We were so isolated back then that I’d listen to the Voice of America and marvel at the things that were being done in the developed world, and wonder if we would ever be able to participate in that level. The fact that a smart kid can grow up to attend a local university and end up launching a SATELLITE INTO SPACE is incredible!

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Ray20 ◴[27 Mar 25 12:05 UTC] No.43492719[source]▶
>Let me tell you how we actually feel about it here.

Can we have the opinion not from some privileged elites, but of the oppressed majority, who are literally starving to involuntarily under threat of execution finance all this support projects for this disgusting government?

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epolanski ◴[27 Mar 25 14:27 UTC] No.43494031[source]▶
Don't you feel silly for commenting on things that you know nothing about?

Botswana is one of the most developed countries in the world on many aspects like democracy, press and political freedom or gender equality.

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Ray20 ◴[28 Mar 25 09:18 UTC] No.43503197[source]▶
>aspects like democracy, press and political freedom or gender equality

We are literally talking about country, where half the population are starving and 10 percent of children are DYING. But yeah, girls are dying not worse than boys, so amazing gender equality, best place on the Earth. All you need to know about fascists and their statistics.

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1. defrost ◴[28 Mar 25 09:31 UTC] No.43503258[source]▶
You're overstating the severity somewhat .. severe food insecurity is not starvation level food shortages, and 3.8 percent is less than 10 percent.

  At national level 53.29 percent of the population in Botswana was affected by moderate or severe food insecurity in 2021/22

  Moderate or severe Food insecurity occurs when a person or household has limited or uncertain access to sufficient and healthy food because of financial limitations or other constraints.

  As a result of financial or other constraints, people may have to compromise on the quality and quantity of their diets, but they do not necessarily suffer from extreme hunger or starvation.
~ https://statsbots.org.bw/sites/default/files/publications/PR...

* Under-five Mortality Rate: 38.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.

and dropping steadily from 77.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 24 years ago

~ https://data.unicef.org/country/bwa/