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Comment by nickff | Hacker News Reader

Why should every country be able to launch satellites? There are many countries which have no sea ports, yet they all need space ports?

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I don't know about every country, but the article lists some important reasons for Ghana to have the capability, namely combatting illegal mining and assistance with disaster relief.

At the moment Ghana is reliant on foreign satellites, which aren't necessarily available when needed.

Just because you don't have sea ports doesn't mean you can't have boats under your flag.

Should have the ability to build satellites and if geography permits should be able to launch them

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).

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 ?

There is a strong case for there being satellite and launch providers/provisioners; this does not mean that every country needs their own.

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.

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.

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

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.

http://swisscube.epfl.ch/

Those landlocked countries do need sea ports too. It's just a bit harder to do anything about that without invading your neighbours.

No - they need access to sea ports which can be done easily via trade. Likewise they need access to satellites which also can be accomplished through trade.

Honestly, the spectrum around here.
You knows what's better than having someone else's removable permission to use their sea ports at their convenience on their terms? Having your own sea ports.

Although even better than that is to sell your sea ports to a corporation and then rent them back at fair value in order to improve the country's finances.

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