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Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

spaceinafrica.com

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Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#51

Post by fastasucan »

Dylan16807 wrote: post #27
parsimo2010 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very few organizations and even countries can develop both a launch vehicle and a satellite. Botswana has done fine to develop a satellite that integrates onto a rideshare launch. They aren't working with anything close to the headcount or budget of NASA or even the ESA. Edit (rather than reply and make the comment chain long): It's fine that you read it that way. I figure that if the article were about a launch vehi…

> Very few organizations and even countries can develop both a launch vehicle and a satellite. I would remove the last three words from that. Launch vehicles are hard. Satellites are easy. This is a cubesat, even.

Why remove it? It doesn’t change what they say.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#52

Post by aravindputrevu »

parsimo2010 wrote: post #12
echoangle wrote: post #2

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.

Very few organizations and even countries can develop both a launch vehicle and a satellite. Botswana has done fine to develop a satellite that integrates onto a rideshare launch. They aren't working with anything close to the headcount or budget of NASA or even the ESA. Edit (rather than reply and make the comment chain long): It's fine that you read it that way. I figure that if the article were about a launch vehi…

So true. I think most people don't realise how hard it is really to build a engine that works.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#53

Post by heraldgeezer »

echoangle wrote: post #2

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.

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.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#54

Post by echoangle »

heraldgeezer wrote: post #53
echoangle wrote: post #2

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.

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.

I am not saying that this is the case with Botswana but it could also be a matter of priorities. At least North Korea is able to do orbital launches while the living conditions of an average citizen is less than ideal.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#56

Post by s4mbh4 »

blobbers wrote: post #38

… this does not seem like their best use of resources.

> This initiative will enable BIUST to build a sustainable pipeline of space technology projects while facilitating hands-on learning opportunities for students and researchers

Having been part of a student satellite program, and having subsequently built my career on it, I can tell you that there is nothing more efficient at teaching students than giving them a bunch of money and telling them to build a satellite.

This satellite will be operated for many years by many students who will learn practical knowledge about satellites.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#57

Post by kortilla »

fastasucan wrote: post #51
Dylan16807 wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Very few organizations and even countries can develop both a launch vehicle and a satellite. I would remove the last three words from that. Launch vehicles are hard. Satellites are easy. This is a cubesat, even.

Why remove it? It doesn’t change what they say.

Because it’s not clear which of the two things makes doing both hard.

Developing a basic satellite is very straightforward at this point and there are countless unrecognizable companies that help do this.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#58

Post by walrus01 »

echoangle wrote: post #2

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.

Plenty of small nation states have the financial resources and a government ministry-level "space" department that has the money to launch up to like, a 6U size cubesat, but don't have their own launcher. This is in fact more normal than not, if you look at a map of countries which have their own locally developed, frequently-in-use launchers capable of sending at least 100kg to low earth orbit, vs those which do not.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#59

Post by Aeolun »

pc86 wrote: post #46
lolinder wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Edit (rather than reply and make the comment chain long): Sorry to go meta here, but this is just rude, both to OP and to other readers. For OP, you're effectively pre-empting what they say with your own counterargument, and even more so you're removing the ability for them to counter your counter. You're essentially using the edit feature to end the conversation and ensure you have the final word. For other reader…

> Sorry to go meta here, but this is just rude, both to OP and to other readers. ... You're essentially using the edit feature to end the conversation and ensure you have the final word. I've noticed this more and more, especially on more controversial topics (which this is certainly not). Adam makes a statement, Betty responds. Adam responds, and Betty edits her initial response and conversation ends, likely because…

Isn’t that fine? Not all of those conversations have to be taken to the end.

Re: Botswana launches first satellite BOTSAT-1 aboard SpaceX Falcon 9

#60

Post by igravious »

heraldgeezer wrote: post #53
echoangle wrote: post #2

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.

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.

I'm curious, which "type" of country are you saying Botswana is?

As far as I'm aware of Botswana does not have the power outages of its neighbour South Africa …

Perhaps you're right, maybe it is a mask off moment for you …

“Botswana, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has recently made considerable strides in developing a reliable electricity supply network to support its growing economy and improve the quality of life for its citizens. However, occasional power outages and load shedding do still occur during peak demand periods or when there are unforeseen challenges, such as equipment failures or extreme weather events.” https://www.sinalda.com/world-voltages/africa/voltage-botswa...

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