The new Space Race: Boldly going where no ego has gone before

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ard-branson-jeff-bezos-space-race/8001660002/

I'm not sure if I really want to post this thread in current events. Maybe it should go over in Science. However, Branson and Bezos and their little bs flights to nowhere are current events. The MSNBC coverage is sad. You'd think these guys are actually achieving something by listening to it.

The backstory in this link is fantastic. A guy with a $28M seat on Bezos's flight tomorrow was apparently bumped by another billionaire getting his 18 year old son on the flight.

This stuff is complete nonsense. We could be building a lot of critical desalination plants essential to humanity all over the place instead of wasting money on manned space flight.

 

I think space exploration is very important for our species but I do find it sad that individuals are now funding it instead of governments while others are food and water insecure.

The wealth divide will only expand further. I almost expect something like Elysium to eventually occur and the super wealthy will just take all of their wealth with them.

 

One of the greatest challenges facing the entire planet is a lack of water without salt, i.e. fresh water. These bs roller coaster rides to sub orbital up and down again stunts will lead to Elysium the space station - perhaps, but I think not. Where will Elysium get its water?

As of now, space and lack of gravity kills us. Specifically our pelvis disintegrates in zero / low G. Our cardiovascular system doesn't work properly in zero / low G. Space exploration is a non-starter until we learn the secrets that seem to facilitate flight characteristics of UFOs that are beyond the ability of our knowledge to even begin to explain. Popeye Bezos and King Richard and Lord Elon are not funding research into the basic physics of how these UFOs go from sea level to 40,000 ft in the blink of an eye. Musk is the only one of these guys that has achieved a modicum of conventional competency with building an aerospace enterprise.

 

I think Branson had the right idea about low space flight, some will question whether he reached "space". There will be some people willing to pay for such a flight either out of necessity or just for the entertainment. Manned space flight and low orbital stations.......................I was a HUGE fan of the early programs and going to the moon.................but now. What is the purpose? I question the whole let's go to Mars rave even going back to the moon. What are humans doing that robots could not and do so at a hugely lower cost of sending robots. Try to find a list of the greatest scientific discoveries at the ISS for the last twelve months, 24 months heck 5 years. Which ones were dependent on humans living there.

How far could humans explore outside of our own solar system? Not very.

 

Certainly is. I personally explore space every morning between 6-7AM and have just finished re-reading all 11 books of Foundation series.

 

I am excited for that series to come to Apple TV. I didn’t know it was based on books though! Will have to order the first one.

 

Order first what, the book or the season?

If books, read them in order suggested by Asimov himself, starting with The Caves of Steel.

 

Book. They always seem to be better than the series / movies except on rare exceptions.

 

And what would be do with all that salt that will be stockpiled? Plus they're energy inefficient as hell. I the money is coming from private individuals and not the government then I think it is a great thing for the world. Personally I like the Blue Origin Bezos has.

 

NASA is more focused on space exploration which it should be. Think of going from NY to London in about an hour and a half with a fantastic space flight on the way. This is not about space exploration, it's about commercial flights around the world. New Mexico has the first Aerospace Airport and more will follow. It is the future of commercial flying.

 

Really? Branson went up and came down at the same location and the tickets are $250,000. Please.....

 

It makes you wonder, although I don't think most wealthy people want to separate themselves from the rest of the human race. At worst, I could see them having orbiting vacation resorts / cruise ships that the rest of us will never be able to afford.

 

They already have that! Lol
I have seen some places advertised in Bali and Monaco that are more than most people make in a lifetime

 

Well yeah, I also thought of their various private islands and cruises, not to mention their mega-yachts. But now they could have these things in space, and they will be competing with each other to get there as the technology for this matures. They do love to compete for status.

 

Here you go, my friend.

You must read them in this order, for your enjoyment to be complete. The order of books may seem a little strange - 1982 and then 1954 and 57 and then 83 but it makes perfect sense to me and in the end, it will to you.

Read every book in this order you must.

The Complete Robot (1982) and/or I, Robot (1950)
Caves of Steel (1954)
The Naked Sun (1957)
The Robots of Dawn (1983)
Robots and Empire (1985) The Currents of Space (1952)
The Stars, Like Dust (1951)
Pebble in the Sky (1950)
Prelude to Foundation (198
Forward the Foundation (1993)
Foundation (1951)
Foundation and Empire (1952)
Second Foundation (1953)
Foundation's Edge (1982)
Foundation and Earth (1986)

 

I already ordered Caves of Steel but two books won’t hurt!

Edit: I canceled the order and got this

 

Branson and Bezos made money providing goods and services that people wanted. It is typical that liberals resent success achieved in a free market economy and want to pass judgement on how other people spend their money. Liberal envy of the successful is on full display in this thread.

 

Enjoy, my friend. Best series ever written.

 

I think that is trying to cast everything as black and white when there are many differences in views. I find it odd why there is always someone that come in screaming ‘you are all just jealous!’ in attempts to shut the conversation down.

Personally, I am not envious of success, so someone has worked hard and has a few exotic sports cars, multi-million dollar vacation house, private yachts and planes — out of reach for most but good for them.

Extreme excess is a different story — when someone has enough wealth to sway politics, create and erase laws, bankrupt nations while hiding and hoarding their wealth; paying near zero in taxes and passing it down through numerous generations where these people then do the same — that indicates the system is broken. That also is not envious but rather concern.

Brand said it best, “When I was poor and complained about inequality they said I was bitter; now that I'm rich and I complain about inequality they say I'm a hypocrite. I'm beginning to think they just don't want to talk about inequality.”

Also, Branson supports UBI, think he is ‘jealous’?

 

Look on the bright side maybe Bezos's rocket will just keep going into deep space.

 

I support the rich spending, so whatever gets them to spend, even if it's ego is ok with me

that is how money trickles down

shaming the rich into not spending is not the answer

 

It was a pretty cool launch (Bezos), as of course all rocket launches are. In the aftermath tho, its sort of silly in my opinion and I do not care. The news is trying to make it a big deal, but all they can come up with is that it is inspiring to the young. Not sure what the technological benefit is, as rockets have been doing this.

Edit - Or to be more specific on my opinion, this was cool to watch as all rocket launches are, but does not feel world changing in any way. Its hard for the news to play it up.

 

Used to be people just bought a convertible to soothe their midlife crises.

 

And? People will pay what they think something is worth. No one forced them to pay.

 

Probably the most important use for these rockets is to carry payloads to the ISS and eventually the moon and beyond.