Re: [Cerowrt-devel] spacebee

[Matt Taggart <matt@lackof.org>]

On 03/13/2018 10:47 AM, Christopher Robin wrote:

> With all the noise around this launch, I haven’t been able to find info 
> on expected operational lifespan vs expected orbit decay. LEO’s can 
> still last for decades. The only thing I’m finding is an expected use 
> for 6mo to 2yr, but not sure how long after that the Spaceebee will stay 
> in orbit and/or be responsive with positional data.
> 
> While just 4 of these things in space isn’t a major concern, rogue 
> launching objects into space isn’t a scalable solution. This is 
> especially true as the cost of launching comes down into the “cheap” 
> startup range. These types of companies aren’t usually concerned 25yr 
> impact plans, and most wont last long enough to be around to assist if 
> any problems occur past that 2-3yr window.

To possibly bring this tangent back to the topic for this list...

A space start-up launching inexpensive devices into orbit with no plans 
for support, upgrades, or disposal is not totally unlike the situation 
we're in with consumer routers and other IoT things. When you think of 
it on that scale it gets quite a bit more scary....

It's the standard business tricks of shifting profit forward at the 
expense of the future and externalization of costs.
(The nuclear industry is another good example, but that's a whole other 
tangent).

-- 
Matt Taggart
matt@lackof.org