[LatteLazy]

I mean no disrespect to Ethiopia but no, China launched it.

This is important because the ability to put an object in space is a huge achievement with geopolitical consequences. If you can put an object into space (even low earth orbit) you can put one in Time Square or the Kremlin and no one can stop you. That's why it's a big deal when a country first launches a satellite...

Sorry to be the arsehole here. But it should be made clear Ethiopia has NOT just jumped up on the possible threat scale...

[oefrha]

The accurate title would be “China launched Ethiopia’s first satellite into space.”

The original title, “Ethiopia has launched its first satellite into space with China’s help”, is still mostly accurate with a generous reading.

The submitted title was strangely altered to drop the key caveat, not sure if the submitter disapproves of “Chinese influence” or something.

[dmix]

I’m sure dang or whoever will add the “with China’s help” bit, no biggie.

[nexuist]

It would be interesting to see what the geopolitical consequences would be of another nation "helping" a smaller nation become ICBM capable. I know that this was basically the premise of the late Cold War and the Cuban missile crisis, but in all those instances the Soviet Union and United States owned all their missiles - their individual satellite states didn't have the ability to launch them.

But if, say, China were to give away ICBM technology to an ally, for "national security" reasons, so that they could claim plausible deniability...

[LatteLazy]

Right now, Iran has a working ICBM but no nukes and North Korea has working nuked but no ICBM. The nightmare scenario is that they swap kit so both has both. That would make them both untouchable. Nk is crazy enough, they'd demand cash (and fuel and food) not to just press the button and likely get it.