Light pollution even from space… it’s a thing now it seems…

Strikes me as more light pollution from these satellites…

Assuming Gateway survives!!

I’d prefer to know why we send anyone before we actually do. Prestige is a poor basis for a programme. Not seeing other answers other than “because the others are going so we must join the party”. Europe has a chance to do something different for space, not “me too”.

Funding is everything…

If you have spent billions on the human space exploration programme (as Germany has) are you saying it is the moral case that whoever goes should just be the best candidate even from a nation that subscribes very little? I’m not sure that’s how the World works (anywhere).

Not sure what you mean by UK being “a loser”? Certainly UK has reduced its funding in ESA but that was a decision taken by UK in advance and the overall UK Space Budget is not a matter for debate at this event?

Because they weren’t voted in by Labour, they were voted in by “anti-Tory” and this govt still needs to figure out what that means for the centre ground long-term…

It is. Any regulator that approves the constellation should be ashamed unless they get assurances that verified efforts will be taken by the company to minimise environmental (night sky) impact.

Sadly the focus will be on geopolitics. Some industries would love the “European boots on the Moon, launched by European rockets” as it would be the gift that keeps on giving. The rest of Space will suffer in direct proportion. Better to establish a unique European narrative around robotics imho.

Hey Julian! Here’s another. If the Sun-Earth distance was an inch then a light year is about a mile away. So think about the inch vs our nearest star at 4.5 miles or our nearest significant galaxy at way past the distance to the moon at 2.5 million miles… space really IS big!! #astronomy #space

I know my tribe!!

I am reading my mother’s diaries across 1973-1980. There is simply no way life was better. It was simpler, more insular but a hard grind bringing up kids if you were working class. Definitely not good news if you were female. However families mattered more because they were local.

BBC wants to correct its hyperbole calling this a “historic launch”. Maybe the first return for New Glenn but that’s a company achievement not Humanity…

They’ll find a global society that asks tougher questions about why this matters vs SOO many other concerns- or at least they should do. Americans might just complain about China being next door…

Expect cloud and rain then!

But the trouble is, “Labour” were not voted in at the last election. It was “not the Tories in my area”. Unless Labour MPs recognise that many did not care about the manifesto then they’ll find out next time when it counts. Centre ground won the day.

If Trump doesn’t like it then that’s a good case for it’s suitability…

Hopefully blocked if the constellation is really as bright as mag 1 or 2…