postingawayonhn

Based on the war in Ukraine S-400s aren't really able to intercept much at all.

I think New Zealand is ahead. RocketLab was the second company in the world after SpaceX to get a privately developed launch vehicle to orbit, back in 2017. They've now had 86 successful launches from their NZ launch site.

Yes, they've had a space agency, but the only launchers are expensive legacy vehicles.

This launch is a move towards lower cost and more frequent launches, that in the US are provided by SpaceX.

Design and manufacturing for the rocket part of their business is mainly split between Auckland and Los Angeles. Various sources say they have between 500 and 700 employees in NZ.

Earlier this year they acquired a new machining business in Auckland and are expanding capacity at their NZ launch site: https://rocketlabcorp.com/updates/rocket-lab-establishes-new...

I think that's about the ballpark of what is required for a rocket of this size. SpaceX and RocketLab raised similar amounts prior to their first successful launches.

Starlink speed and bandwidth is way ahead of any of the existing satellite internet providers.

They still have significant NZ design, manufacturing, and launch operations.

For regulatory and capital raising reasons the parent company has been US based for quite a few years now. They've also been on a multi-year acquisitions spree and picked up quite a large US workforce through that.

Yes, they can after 4 years, although that was only a recent change.

The bigger factor is that Australia and NZ have free movement between the countries for those who are a citizen of either.

> instead of developing that capability in-house or acquiring a few startups with decent engineering talent.

VW has a JV with Rivian. I'd consider that to be similar to what you suggest.

https://rivianvw.tech/

Yeah, I think it will be important to continue improving drone technology and have a plan to scale manufacturing in the event of a major conflict, but the lack of conventional air superiority is what has really brought this war to a stalemate.

But the assumptions should always be that one day someone like that could take power and gain access to that data.

'Cost a LOT' is relative though.

Expensive compared to a 777 flight? Sure. Expensive compared to every other moon capable rocket? No.

You'll need to launch more mass to get there but the technology isn't really any more complicated. It's also a more hospitable environment (reasonable gravity, day/night cycle, some atmosphere, water, etc.)

They never have been one.

Where land is converted there can be an increase. But for an existing farm with stable herd numbers the emission produced around (Methane > Carbon Dioxide > Grass > Methane > etc.).

There is also audio of the pilots discussing the issue.

The article doesn't quite spell it out but I assume you won't be able to turn off safe search unless you log in with a verified 18+ account.

Because Europe doesn't produce anything comparable at present.

The US isn't interested in picking sides. Historically it has tried to be friendly with both (though that hasn't always been easy).

> $750B for defense was 3% of the federal budget in 2024.

I think you mean of GDP, not federal budget.

NATO has never been a threat to Russia. Under what scenario are all the governments of NATO countries convinced to attack Russia?

Also Finland just joined and Russia barley registered a complaint.

This is an open forum. Put forward your solution to the war so it can be discussed.

NATO as has existed is already over. Nobody has any faith that the US will follow through on its Article 5 obligations.

The Russian aviation industry has a terrible track record on delivering new aircraft.

And on the knowledge that Russia will certainly conduct strikes on polling stations.

Also Zelensky's popularity has shot up since Trump started aligning with Russia. And the next most likely president is probably even more hawkish towards Russia.

> I never understood why "foreign influence" was supposed to be a bad thing.

It would be less of a problem if US platforms were allowed into China to influence the Chinese too.

It seems awkward not ending on the last day of the month. In NEw Zealand it's close, the FY ends on 31 March.

Purchasing Power Parity calculations try to capture this.

You're using a 9 year old source. The whole point of this discussion is that HTS appear to have significantly moderated their views since then.

Maybe they're naive, but here are Syiran Christians celebrating: https://x.com/GrecoLevantines/status/1865621018531840273

Well it depends on how just you think their cause is. I doubt too many people here would criticize the Ukrainians attacking Russian factories.