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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

#171

Post by varjag »

Ray20 wrote: post #157
varjag wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When USSR launched the world's first satellite into space, the enthusiasm was universal. Even among its peasants who at the time were paperless indentured servants.

>Even among its peasants No, it wasn't. This is Soviet propaganda, that existed only because people who expressed different opinions were killed. As far as I understand, the situation in Botswana is much better when it comes to expressing one's opinion. So I am interested in what they think about this issue.

You would not have been killed in Khrustchev times for expressing a dissatisfaction with the space programme, even though it certainly deviated from the party line. Perhaps it's worth considering that what people find inspiring does not necessarily reflect their material condition: humans are complex creatures.

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

#173

Post by StefanBatory »

Ray20 wrote: post #147
scrappyjoe wrote: post #104

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 infor…

>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?

[flagged]

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

#174

Post by StefanBatory »

Ray20 wrote: post #157
varjag wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When USSR launched the world's first satellite into space, the enthusiasm was universal. Even among its peasants who at the time were paperless indentured servants.

>Even among its peasants No, it wasn't. This is Soviet propaganda, that existed only because people who expressed different opinions were killed. As far as I understand, the situation in Botswana is much better when it comes to expressing one's opinion. So I am interested in what they think about this issue.

Are you interested in their opinion when you instantly dismiss one?

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

#175

Post by epolanski »

StefanBatory wrote: post #169
sokols wrote: post #135

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Congratulations on the successful launch! > .. I’d listen to the Voice of America.. I grew up listening to VoA as a kid as well, I was born in a then not so developed part of the Balkans. Sometimes I have the feeling that the ordinary Americans don't have a clue about the impact VoA had in the countries like ours.

I am Polish; I didn't grew up during period of Communist occupation, but I've certainly heard of stories of people risking their wellbeing via trying to listen to VoA. It was very much a big crime.

Radio Wolna Europa was the one that my parents and grandparents listened to more often in communist Poland.

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

#176

Post by graemep »

scrappyjoe wrote: post #165
Ray20 wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>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?

You have no idea what you are talking about. Until the mid 2000s, if you good good enough grades at _any_ high school in the country, the government would foot the entire bill (tuition, board, stipend) to send you to a foreign university for the entirety of your degree. The only requirement was that you returned to Botswana to work back your tuition cost. Probably hundreds of thousands (and that's a lot in a country…

I had colleagues who worked in Botswana and they said it was the nicest location of any of our clients - which included London, Boston, Singapore, etc.

I got landed with Nairobi which was horrible (at least in terms of my work).

I think some people think all African countries are the same.

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

#177

Post by elric »

sofixa wrote: post #162
elric wrote: post #153

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Terms and conditions apply there.

Like what?

Not every bank supports it yet, and it's not always free. Some offer a limited number of free instant payments. One of my banks charged 1eur per instant payment up until recently. I understand the situation is improving, however.

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

#178

Post by epolanski »

api wrote: post #159
scrappyjoe wrote: post #104

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 infor…

Do you see signs of Africa undergoing the developmental transformation we’ve seen in past decades in places like China and Vietnam? I’ve been expecting it for a while.

I honestly doubt.

Vietnam and China have very stable (albeit dictatures) governments that invest heavily in education and infrastructure.

Most of Africa, except some places like Botswana is very unstable politically. Plenty of conflicts, insane corruption levels.

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

#179

Post by chirau »

chirau wrote: post #102

Zimbabwe did the same thing a few years back. The satellite eventually got lost in space.

Sometimes I struggle understanding HN. I did not share an opinion. Simply stated two events that were a matter of fact. Yet someone I am being downvoted for this.

1. Zimbabwe did the same thing a few years back. Source: https://itweb.africa/content/dgp45qaBBQevX9l8

2. The satellite eventually got lost in space. Source: https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/zimsat-1

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

#180

Post by epolanski »

Ray20 wrote: post #147
scrappyjoe wrote: post #104

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 infor…

>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?

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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