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In context of this satellite, they is the MAEU (Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University) and the reason the satellite is being held is because apparently JAXA

In context of this satellite, they is the MAEU (Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University) and the reason the satellite is being held is because apparently JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) can't reach the rector of the MAEU to make sure what the satellite would be used for. The reason why they can't reach the rector of the MAEU is because he might have been arrested or is in hiding (https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/soldiers-raid-aerospace-university-in-meiktila https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/soldiers-raid-aerospace-...). So, all in all, Japan is being careful and the situation in Myanmar is "undetermined". I think it is questionable where the "spying concern" is coming from, aside from being clickbait. >Officials at JAXA could not be reached for comment. MAEU did not respond to calls seeking comment, nor did a spokesman for Myanmar’s junta. It could be used for spying, because it's a satellite with cameras. If it has the capabilities to be used for spying is unclear, all the data would go through Japan anyway. Japan does not want to comment on it, persons responsible at MAEU are in prison or in hiding and the junta would probably lie anyway.

garmaine 6y ago
“Spying” looks like editorial click bait. It isn’t even mentioned in the article. The concern I think is domestic use to commit genocide against their own people.
- simonh 6y ago
  The article does mention concerns about military use. I think your being overly pedantic.
  - garmaine 6y ago
    Yes, use by the military to continue committing genocide against their own people. “Spying” in geopolitical context usually means use against other countries.
  - seniorgarcia 6y ago
    > “We won’t get involved in anything that has to do with the military. The satellite was not designed for that,” one of the officials, a manager of the project, told Reuters, asking not to be identified. I dare you to find a quote by anyone familiar with the satellite citing military use.
    - simonh 6y ago
      He said it right there. If it has no possible military use, why did he even mention the military? Nice bit of goal post rearrangement there, given an explicit direct quote in the article stating the satellite could have military applications. On what basis do you assert that Human Rights Watch are not capable of assessing the satellites capabilities and possible uses?
      - seniorgarcia 6y ago
        >He said it right there. If it has no possible military use, why did he even mention the military? How do you get "the satellite could have military applications" from "The satellite was not designed for that"? >On what basis do you assert that Human Rights Watch are not capable of assessing the satellites capabilities and possible uses? You mean aside from "We won’t get involved in anything that has to do with the military. The satellite was not designed for that"? Why do you think the HRW has any capability to assess the possible applications of a satellite? Nothing on the HRW website either... https://www.hrw.org/asia/myanmar-burma https://www.hrw.org/asia/myanmar-burma
ehnto 6y ago
Maybe I am underestimating them, but I feel like the more likely scenario is a government and it's agencies in disarray. Would the new governing entity even know or care about that particular project right now?
- jopsen 6y ago
  There is probably a propaganda win in launching a satellite.

garmaine 6y ago

“Spying” looks like editorial click bait. It isn’t even mentioned in the article. The concern I think is domestic use to commit genocide against their own people.

simonh 6y ago
The article does mention concerns about military use. I think your being overly pedantic.
- garmaine 6y ago
  Yes, use by the military to continue committing genocide against their own people. “Spying” in geopolitical context usually means use against other countries.
- seniorgarcia 6y ago
  > “We won’t get involved in anything that has to do with the military. The satellite was not designed for that,” one of the officials, a manager of the project, told Reuters, asking not to be identified. I dare you to find a quote by anyone familiar with the satellite citing military use.
  - simonh 6y ago
    He said it right there. If it has no possible military use, why did he even mention the military? Nice bit of goal post rearrangement there, given an explicit direct quote in the article stating the satellite could have military applications. On what basis do you assert that Human Rights Watch are not capable of assessing the satellites capabilities and possible uses?
    - seniorgarcia 6y ago
      >He said it right there. If it has no possible military use, why did he even mention the military? How do you get "the satellite could have military applications" from "The satellite was not designed for that"? >On what basis do you assert that Human Rights Watch are not capable of assessing the satellites capabilities and possible uses? You mean aside from "We won’t get involved in anything that has to do with the military. The satellite was not designed for that"? Why do you think the HRW has any capability to assess the possible applications of a satellite? Nothing on the HRW website either... https://www.hrw.org/asia/myanmar-burma https://www.hrw.org/asia/myanmar-burma

ehnto 6y ago

Maybe I am underestimating them, but I feel like the more likely scenario is a government and it's agencies in disarray. Would the new governing entity even know or care about that particular project right now?

jopsen 6y ago
There is probably a propaganda win in launching a satellite.