Your analysis is valid as long as one of the following are true:
1) We learn to bend light around the surface of the earth (otherwise relays are needed, which add significant delay).
2) hypersonic missiles are required to a) go into LEO and b) go all the way around the earth to benefit from a quarter second head start
I still think military warning applications are much more likely than someone trying to do HFT on the NYSE from Australia. But, like I said from the beginning. Neither are feasible because they need a super collider and a massive tank detector.
1) We learn to bend light around the surface of the earth (otherwise relays are needed, which add significant delay).
2) hypersonic missiles are required to a) go into LEO and b) go all the way around the earth to benefit from a quarter second head start
I still think military warning applications are much more likely than someone trying to do HFT on the NYSE from Australia. But, like I said from the beginning. Neither are feasible because they need a super collider and a massive tank detector.