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Apologies for being repetitive, but you didn't answer my question. Why does a country need to be able to build and/or launch satellites? I really can't see an

by nickff 11y ago

Apologies for being repetitive, but you didn't answer my question. Why does a country need to be able to build and/or launch satellites? I really can't see any reason for it. There are many countries with little or no shipbuilding and/or port capabilities. Switzerland has done very well without a sea port, and I cannot imagine why any country needs satellite capabilities (aside from nationalism).

sremani 11y ago
The advantages of Earth observing satellites in the arena of - telecommunications - navigation & mapping - meteorology - agriculture, mining etc. things that are part of both defense and commerce. >>and I cannot imagine why any country needs satellite capabilities (aside from nationalism).<< GPS ?
- nickff 11y ago
  There is a strong case for there being satellite and launch providers/provisioners; this does not mean that every country needs their own.
- Retric 11y ago
  There are some tiny 'countries' out there. If you can see the surface area of your country from a blimp then launching a satellite seems wasteful ex: Monaco, Nauru. I am sure Liechtenstein could do GPS from blimps / drones cheaper that even microsatellites, but why build your own receiver when GPS is cheap and your to tiny to matter militarily.
- noselasd 11y ago
  You can buy such services using existing satellites, or buy the designing, manufacturing and launching of such a satellite - there's no inherent need for everyone to do all the steps domestically.
sremani 11y ago
http://swisscube.epfl.ch/ http://swisscube.epfl.ch/
IndianAstronaut 11y ago
Did you read the article? They stated very specific reasons why they needed satellites. Things like monitoring deforestation, farmland, weather, etc.
- nickff 11y ago
  Needing to have satellites and needing indigenous design/build/launch capabilities are very different. Most satellite users do not design, build, or launch their own satellites.

by nickff 11y ago

sremani 11y ago

The advantages of Earth observing satellites in the arena of - telecommunications - navigation & mapping - meteorology - agriculture, mining etc. things that are part of both defense and commerce. >>and I cannot imagine why any country needs satellite capabilities (aside from nationalism).<< GPS ?

nickff 11y ago
There is a strong case for there being satellite and launch providers/provisioners; this does not mean that every country needs their own.
Retric 11y ago
There are some tiny 'countries' out there. If you can see the surface area of your country from a blimp then launching a satellite seems wasteful ex: Monaco, Nauru. I am sure Liechtenstein could do GPS from blimps / drones cheaper that even microsatellites, but why build your own receiver when GPS is cheap and your to tiny to matter militarily.
noselasd 11y ago
You can buy such services using existing satellites, or buy the designing, manufacturing and launching of such a satellite - there's no inherent need for everyone to do all the steps domestically.

sremani 11y ago

http://swisscube.epfl.ch/ http://swisscube.epfl.ch/

IndianAstronaut 11y ago

Did you read the article? They stated very specific reasons why they needed satellites. Things like monitoring deforestation, farmland, weather, etc.

nickff 11y ago
Needing to have satellites and needing indigenous design/build/launch capabilities are very different. Most satellite users do not design, build, or launch their own satellites.