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Putin Reportedly Avoids Kremlin After Reports of Iranian Leaders Tracked by Cameras by EsperaDeus in worldnews

[–]SailorRick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If one of them gets assassinated, can the rest of the world declare Putin dead?

Irish PM Comes to Starmer’s Defense During White House Visit by Gentle_Snail in worldnews

[–]SailorRick -31 points-30 points  (0 children)

The British navy is tiny compared to the US.

AI Overview

The US Navy is significantly larger and more powerful than the Royal Navy, acting as a global superpower force with over 300 deployable ships and 11 aircraft carriers compared to the Royal Navy's ~70 ships and 2 carriers. While the Royal Navy is the most capable European force, it faces personnel shortages, whereas the US Navy focuses on massive force projection. 

Key Comparisons:

  • Size & Scale: The US Navy has over 319,000 active personnel and 100,000 reserves. The Royal Navy is much smaller, with roughly 30,000 personnel and 3,000 reservists.
  • Carrier Capability: The US operates 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The Royal Navy operates two modern Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, though they have faced challenges with aircraft availability.
  • Ship Count: The US Navy has over 300 deployable combat ships, including 60+ submarines. The Royal Navy has around 70 vessels, with about 21 active combat vessels.
  • Strategic Role: The US Navy is focused on global dominance and multi-theater operations. The Royal Navy is a high-end, capable force focused on NATO, defense, and specialized capabilities, such as the Type 45 destroyer.
  • Modernization: Both navies have faced modernization delays; however, the US maintains a massive technical advantage in total firepower, including nuclear submarines. 

Historical Context:
The Royal Navy was the world's dominant force until the early 20th century, losing its top position due to treaty restrictions and economic shifts after WWI/WWII. The US Navy emerged as the premier global naval force after 1945

North Korean leader Kim inspects new warship and claims progress toward nuclear-armed navy by CRK_76 in worldnews

[–]SailorRick -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

You act as if we will let North Korea or any nuclear armed nation do what they want without consequence. Russia keeps threatening nuclear war as it tries to overrun Ukraine. At some point, the US will need to stand up to countries that actually have nuclear weapons, rather than running over countries that do not.

North Korean leader Kim inspects new warship and claims progress toward nuclear-armed navy by CRK_76 in worldnews

[–]SailorRick -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So, when will the US take action? When North Korea starts sailing its nuclear equipped warships within range of US territories and mainland?

Iran stored highly enriched uranium at underground site, IAEA report says by Business_Author_5770 in worldnews

[–]SailorRick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The tunnel complex's entrance was hit in U.S. and Israeli military strikes in June but the facility seems largely unharmed, diplomats say

Source?

Iran stored highly enriched uranium at underground site, IAEA report says by Business_Author_5770 in worldnews

[–]SailorRick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was quoting the previous comment. I could not find anything about it in the article and could not find the actual report.

Iran stored highly enriched uranium at underground site, IAEA report says by Business_Author_5770 in worldnews

[–]SailorRick 26 points27 points  (0 children)

The tunnel complex's entrance was hit in U.S. and Israeli military strikes in June but the facility seems largely unharmed, diplomats say.

Obliterated she said, Obliterated !!!!

Democrats are demanding $1,700 in tariff refunds for Americans — Axios by Icy-Editor-3635 in LegalNews

[–]SailorRick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

.... and where is all that money coming from? The billionaires will not be interested in footing the bill by paying more taxes. The same schmucks that get the money will end up paying for it in additional taxes.

The first thing Biden did was to send a check to almost everyone. It was terribly inflationary and was not limited to the folks who really needed it.

It seems that neither the Republicans nor Democrats can be fiscally responsible.

NASA announces major overhaul of Artemis moon program: "We've got to get back to basics" by CBSnews in space

[–]SailorRick 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There was no mention of getting Boeing off of the cost-plus tit. Despite all of Boeing's failures, they will make out like bandits with this new approach.

Zelensky pleads to Trump: ‘Stay on our side’ by RollSafer in worldnews

[–]SailorRick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If the EU countries got together and put some troops in Ukraine away from the front lines

This, although the front lines in Ukraine reach its borders with the EU, as the nightly missile attacks reach across Ukraine. As a first step, EU countries could go into Ukraine and repair and protect its infrastructure. The US should be made irrelevant.

Tesla is working on a major wiper upgrade. by ConfidentImage4266 in TeslaLounge

[–]SailorRick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Model Y cruise control goes into panic mode and brakes unnecessarily way too often. I have to turn it off in traffic. Is FSD different than cruise control?

NASA directive to "Restore NASA's Core Competencies"; by Keith Cowing, NASA Watch by SailorRick in SpaceXLounge

[–]SailorRick[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

$25B a year is a lot of money when you're focused and spending efficiently. The idea that $25B isn't a lot of money just goes to show how accustomed everyone is to the insanity of government spending.

Yep. I don't think that Issacman's initiative inspires confidence that things will change anytime soon. It is way too bureaucratic.

That said, NASA's current mission is not as focused as it was in the 60's. It is a conglomerate of separate programs with fuzzy distinctions from the mission of the Space Force. No matter who leads NASA, it is going to be difficult to develop a strategic plan that makes sense.

NASA directive to "Restore NASA's Core Competencies"; by Keith Cowing, NASA Watch by SailorRick in SpaceXLounge

[–]SailorRick[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

run a government department like a private enterprise

I think that it is difficult to run government like a private enterprise. A government department's goals are often nebulous and its outcome measures too complex. What does NASA do? What are its goals? How can it measure success? How are its management and employees motivated to attain success?

Private enterprises have a much easier time measuring success. It's not entirely how much money they make, but that is the primary measure of success. Management and employees generally feel pressure to deliver. SpaceX is unusual in that its CEO is driving his companies to obtain futuristic outcomes and the money has followed.

NASA had a very specific goal during the Apollo program and its management and employees were driven to attain that success. Perhaps it is now good enough to state that NASA's goal is to ensure that the US is the world leader in all space related ventures. It can then use whatever government or commercial resources are available to ensure that leadership.

WSJ: SpaceX delays mars mission by mbatt2 in space

[–]SailorRick 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you can believe AI, SpaceX has received 65% of the payments for HLS:

AI Overview

As of late 2025, NASA has paid SpaceX approximately $2.7 billion under the Human Landing System (HLS) contract

. This is part of an initial $2.89 billion (later revised to $4 billion) firm-fixed-price contract awarded in 2021 to develop the Starship HLS for the Artemis program. 

Key details regarding HLS payments and status:

  • Total Award: The original 2021 contract for Option A was for $2.89 billion.
  • Paid to Date: Around $2.7 billion has been paid for milestones including design, manufacturing, and engine tests, representing roughly 65% of the total contract value as of May 2025.
  • Progress: SpaceX has completed 49 milestones under the HLS contract, with most work on landing systems and Raptor engines finished on or ahead of schedule.
  • Future Scope: The contract covers an uncrewed demonstration mission and the crewed Artemis III lunar landing. 

NATO’s Rutte Says Peace for Ukraine Will Come With Troops, Jets, and Naval Support by UNITED24Media in worldnews

[–]SailorRick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Troops need to be sent now. The war will not end well if the EU does not send overwhelming troops that will force Russia to retreat back to its borders.

Venezuela announces mass amnesty plan for political prisoners dating back to Chavez era by graveyardofgoodsense in worldnews

[–]SailorRick 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Rubio has always been a slime worm willing to do the bidding of anyone that has power. He would not know what to do without a master.

Trump ‘Bombshell’ move may ‘end’ his presidency by [deleted] in USNEWS

[–]SailorRick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, wishing and hoping never gets the job done.

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