4 ms·
No, it's not just you, the phrase "launches first satellite" in the title is very similar language to what would be used about a country developing launch capab
by mitthrowaway2 2y ago
No, it's not just you, the phrase "launches first satellite" in the title is very similar language to what would be used about a country developing launch capability. For example, when headlines say "North Korea launches first spy satellite", the part of that which is big news is their ability to launch a satellite, rather than their ability to build a spy satellite.
(eg.) https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-flags-plan-launch-satellite-rocket-between-nov-22-dec-1-japan-says-2023-11-20/ https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/north-korea-flags...
- notahacker 2y agoBut it's also the same language used in headlines for dozens of "launches first satellite" articles that don't involve novel launch capability, including countries (Bahrain and Senegal were recent) as well as satellite companies. Confusing maybe, especially if you think Botswana might actually have spaceports or domestic launch capability, but common practice. It's even used in trade press articles about Falcon 9 launches of satellites operated by countries that once had homegrown launch capability and are actively investing in regaining it... https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/air/update-uk-space-command-launches-first-satellite https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/air/update...