I was on an elementary school playground at recess when the news spread that

[Atticus]

Marine Alan Shepherd had actually flown out into "space" and returned alive. We did not yet really understand what that meant, but we were thrilled to hear that our country had visited a new frontier.

Today's Virgin Galactic flight was even more breathtaking.

Now if we can just save this planet before we have to flee it or perish.

[Blue Dawn]

1. I recall a similar memory.

I watched every bit of the flight today and found it thrilling!

I was mesmerized. What Branson has accomplished is impressive. It was a joy to watch today.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. So far, it's only billionaires who are succeeding in escaping the planet

We’re not invited.

[asiliveandbreathe]

5. The movie 2012 comes to mind...

?t=16

[Towlie]

11. Humanity would be getting off easy if we could claim that the end of the world wasn't our fault.

 
?

That way, it could be argued that there was no real need to worry about climate change or preserving natural resources.

No, if the world is going to end one way or another, it would be more satisfying to see us get what T. S. Eliot predicted:

This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.

[FoxNewsSucks]

16. When I think of what motivates billionaires,

I think more about this movie

A nice pristine environment for them, a polluted world for the rest of us.

[sir pball]

8. And in 1500 it was only billionaires

Exploring the New World. In 1700, it was billionaires opening the Americas - Pennsylvania was a proprietary colony!

Is it optimal, no, but the ultrawealthy have always been at the front of new frontiers.

[thucythucy]

24. Actually it was ordinary sailors who did the exploring

and poorer people, indentured servants, and religious refugees who "opened" the Americas. The conquistadors were soldiers of fortune. The Pilgrims sold their homes and belongings to finance the trip, and when that didn't provide enough funding they went into debt.

The billionaires of the time--royalty such as Ferdinand and Isabella, King James, the various French Louis, didn't lift a finger except to sign various documents allowing for land they didn't own to be claimed in their name.

So I take issue with the notion that the "ultra wealthy have always been at the front of new frontiers."

Generally, they've been last in line in taking risks (other than financial) and creating genuine innovations, but first in line when it comes to exploiting the poor schmucks who do.

[Srkdqltr]

9. But they had to come back

There is no place like home.

[Zorro]

3. Our elementary school class was marched into the gym

and watched the launch on a black and white tv.

We've come a long way in the past 60 years.

[Jack from Charlotte]

6. Admiral Shepard was not a Marine. He was a Navy aviator..

Naval Academy grad and US Navy. John Glenn was a Marine.

[Atticus]

10. My bad. I blame a classmate who bragged about it being a Marine "of course" who made the

flight. He revered the Corps even in grade school and went on to win a Silver Star as a jarhead in Viet Nam.

But, you are correct. Shephard was Navy.

[obamanut2012]

4. It really was!

It's all very exciting. I'm able to sometimes just see the Florida launches, so as much as I dislike Musk, it's cool. The Virgin ship is also really cool.

[hauckeye]

7. I was born in 1954 and I remember being confused about rocket launches as a child

I thought the rockets were making holes in the sky. I wondered if the next rocket would go through the same hole or make a new one 😂😂. I did smarten up later though 🤪

[Towlie]

13. My elementary science teacher said that below escape velocity a rocket would hit an invisible wall.

 
?

[Laffy Kat]

12. When you think about it...66 years between Kitty Hawk and the moon walk.

Humans are capable of amazing feats. We are also even more capable of really f*cking things up.

[FoxNewsSucks]

17. The depressing thing is

what we've done in the 52 years since.

Not nearly the level of advancement as that 66 years, and not just in the field of flight.

[Justice matters.]

14. This planet will be fine until the Sun will grow into a Red Giant...

Life as we know it, though, including our species... is on a bad path.

Crypto currencies are adding to the Climate Change problems...

[rickyhall]

15. I remember getting up in the dark in Colorado to watch lift-offs Florida.

Then after 1969 the press was no longer interested, it seemed.

[Dan]

18. I assure you that if it becomes necessary to "flee"

The little people need not apply.

[jaxexpat]

19. Oh, Atticus, we will perish here.

It's a habit people have gotten accustomed to.

[Warpy]

20. The price tag is a lot lower than Space X

so likely a lot of fat cats will be taking the carnival ride of a lifetime. It's lowe enough that people with incurable cancer and a bucket list can sell that paid for house and afford a trip.

The one I always wanted to try was the U-2 plane. Those flights were long, high, and spectacular.

[gilligan]

21. Sorry

There is no planet B

[WarGamer]

22. A great moment indeed...

And I'm thrilled.

But btw... the planet is already fucked. It's too late. The best we can do is prepare for and mitigate what's to come.

[kentuck]

23. His spaceship looked like Buck Rogers'

Very futuristic.