The recent jaunts to sub-orbital space by Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos seem like the equivalent of roller-coaster rides for rich folks. A ten-minute up-and-down into the plutocroshpere is not a notable technological achievement. Humans have been escaping the Earth’s atmosphere for six decades. These vanity flights do not inspire great national pride in the same way as the first moon landing did 52 years ago this week.
So do we think anything of scientific and technical importance was gained or were these flights simply supersonic joy rides for two rich guys?
Any gains from this technologically speaking have been paid for by wealthy individuals and will be controlled and utilized for wealthy individuals. How anyone can even think of going to space (except military & exploratory unmanned missions) in the time we are living is absurd. We have so much to do for our own existence on this planet. That money, time, brain power could have been better applied to some of the problems we are facing here on earth.
Any gains from this technologically speaking have been paid for by wealthy individuals and will be controlled and utilized for wealthy individuals. How anyone can even think of going to space (except military & exploratory unmanned missions) in the time we are living is absurd. We have so much to do for our own existence on this planet. That money, time, brain power could have been better applied to some of the problems we are facing here on earth.
A bit of both. Somewhere at the edge of the plutocrosphere is a sign: You must be this rich to enter. 🙄