@NeilNuggetstrong@lemmy.world
member since 2 Jul 2023 14:56
comments
- on Private German rocket makes history, reaches orbit from European soil in c/europe@feddit.org · 6 Sep 2026
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on Private German rocket makes history, reaches orbit from European soil in c/europe@feddit.org · 5 Sep 2026
The rocket is small, the payload is miniscule, the orbit was a polar one, not the more economically feasible equatorial orbit. If this had launched from Florida, Baikounour, or China, nobody would give a shit.
That being said, it took a lot to get to this point, and this is really a big step for European security and independence, and deserves recognition and celebration. I believe this will go down in history as a first small step towards something greater for Europe.
(There are also some advantages to polar orbits, such as for earth observation and telecommunications satellites.)
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on Being Helpful in c/linuxmemes@lemmy.world · 26 Aug 2026
Lmao I literally can’t tell if this meme was made by a linux hater or a fellow enjoyer of penguins
Yeah I guess it might have come across like that.
What I meant is that launching stuff into space is extremely expensive, so not having the benefit of the Earth’s rotation, as is the case with equatorial launches, is a really bad thing. Polar orbits are more difficult, and more expensive. This is why we usually launch European rockets from French Guiana.
Having the option to launch from European soil is extremely important to our security though. But if you want to compete economically with SpaceX, China, and Russia, you’re going to go need to launch from the equator.
Saying that, as a Norwegian myself I am however incredibly happy with the investments made to Andøya, but I doubt it will ever become a European Cape Canaveral.