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PCIntern

(25,479 posts)
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 12:50 PM Jul 2021

Yeah...I Dunno....this space stuff...

I was raised on the network coverage of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo flights, which culminated in the space shuttle launches. The scientific approach, the epic seriousness of the undertaking from a scientific and aerodynamic standpoint, the incredible engineering and physics which entered into the design and execution of these projects was Beyond any person’s ability to comprehend. The network people approached it with gravity, with concern, and with perspective.

This coverage today reminds me of Entertainment Tonight coverage in the 80’s of the premiere of a film. I did not see one technical piece on the “Mothership” (give me an effing break -yeah…it’s JUST LIKE the Mothership in Close Encounters 🙄. ) or the rocket plane itself, the way the major networks used to have the engineers discuss the various attributes of the modules or rockets.

It’s all about self-aggrandizement and being a billionaire. Well. Good for them. This is the New America.

101 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Yeah...I Dunno....this space stuff... (Original Post) PCIntern Jul 2021 OP
K&R spanone Jul 2021 #1
Perhaps it's about cilla4progress Jul 2021 #2
I get that... PCIntern Jul 2021 #3
Maybe they do have a very genuine interest in space and not a self aggrandizing agenda? Escurumbele Jul 2021 #43
Would Admire Branson More If He Invented Carbon Capture / Sequestration Breakthroughs DanieRains Jul 2021 #61
What was the carbon footprint of such an endeavor? panader0 Jul 2021 #35
😆 underpants Jul 2021 #4
Good one. cilla4progress Jul 2021 #9
this is great! Perfectly framed. msfiddlestix Jul 2021 #11
Perfect! mac2766 Jul 2021 #32
Agree The Blue Flower Jul 2021 #5
Plane takeoffs at the airport are pretty dull too brooklynite Jul 2021 #48
In my book the NASA Space Shuttle launches are still the top Larissa Jul 2021 #81
There were 135 Shuttle launches; how many did you watch? brooklynite Jul 2021 #85
I totally agree with you. It's just not as exciting as watching Neil Armstrong descending the Vinca Jul 2021 #6
Flying to London for a vacation is not as exciting as watching Lindbergh do it. lagomorph777 Jul 2021 #98
All I know is that TFG's gibbering on Faux this morning was all about how he wasn't... Hugin Jul 2021 #7
now that's damn amusing. msfiddlestix Jul 2021 #13
I do agree with the Doc, these achievements are built on the shoulders of giants. Hugin Jul 2021 #21
It amazes me how many here watch fox. Treefrog Jul 2021 #18
I personally don't but the feed is polluted by those who do. Hugin Jul 2021 #20
Send him up next dianaredwing Jul 2021 #57
There may be a Sun landing coming up. Hugin Jul 2021 #71
This 10,000 % msfiddlestix Jul 2021 #8
Let The Poor Burn DanieRains Jul 2021 #62
Shipping them off to Mars will certainly be a workable solution. Crunchy Frog Jul 2021 #93
So, we should do nothing so long as there are poor people? Happy Hoosier Jul 2021 #96
Using a big airplane to haul a smaller airplane up to where it can be released Mr.Bill Jul 2021 #101
Answer: this wasn't a news broadcast... brooklynite Jul 2021 #10
Or the play thing of a rich boy who never grew up. paleotn Jul 2021 #26
Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Rail and Virgin Recordss were also "playthings"? brooklynite Jul 2021 #44
His space plane is a toy. A toy for the rich. paleotn Jul 2021 #82
In 1930, a cross-country airplane ticket cost the equivalent of $4,000 today... brooklynite Jul 2021 #87
Never! Bah! paleotn Jul 2021 #100
Branson was born middle class. His dad was just a barrister. mainer Jul 2021 #49
It's an amusement park ride. Owl Jul 2021 #75
Waste of money LynnTTT Jul 2021 #12
+1000 smirkymonkey Jul 2021 #56
Absolutely DanieRains Jul 2021 #65
I agree, carnival rides for the wealthy, definitely Not science. MerryBlooms Jul 2021 #89
I am a scientist and ate up the NASA stuff of my youth, the Pluto mission, etc. NewHendoLib Jul 2021 #14
Proof that the rich have to much money. redstatebluegirl Jul 2021 #15
But they are selfless noble people risking their lives to expand our knowledge dalton99a Jul 2021 #16
Sarcasm? rickyhall Jul 2021 #45
I was right with you up until "selfless." Iggo Jul 2021 #76
Same here. I found it stupid. Treefrog Jul 2021 #17
I worked on the Apollo missions DavidDvorkin Jul 2021 #19
Not quite... PCIntern Jul 2021 #22
And the champagne is all Branson cares about.... paleotn Jul 2021 #29
Yep..someone on DU wanted to know how any Space or moon mission helped us Bengus81 Jul 2021 #24
And many other things but you know... PCIntern Jul 2021 #28
NASA did not invent Tang ... velcro, or teflon sarchasm Jul 2021 #46
Nope, just advanced or invented these: EX500rider Jul 2021 #58
Not the same. paleotn Jul 2021 #27
I loved it. And that is what I was thinking of. I am not focusing on the billionaires. tulipsandroses Jul 2021 #33
Yes. DavidDvorkin Jul 2021 #34
Ali Velshi's one of the smartest interviewers on TV. It's all exciting. ancianita Jul 2021 #53
So are we saying that only the government should be involved in space exploration? tulipsandroses Jul 2021 #83
I don't know about "we." I do realize there are innovators in both private and public sectors. ancianita Jul 2021 #86
Absolutely agree. scarletlib Jul 2021 #72
Sow's ear comes to mind. Bramson has turned his addiction to thrills into a silk purse. Watching Raven Jul 2021 #23
Excellently put! PCIntern Jul 2021 #25
Yeah...here's what POS Branson does with some of his cash Bengus81 Jul 2021 #30
I for one wasn't criticizing the politics of the individual PCIntern Jul 2021 #38
THIS! As a science and aviation enthusiast I am finding the billionaire space race boring.... Laffy Kat Jul 2021 #31
The Three Billionaires homegirl Jul 2021 #36
They developed their own rockets, NASA didn't hand them plans. EX500rider Jul 2021 #63
These are largely private investments. Happy Hoosier Jul 2021 #95
I have a totally different perspective. Blue Dawn Jul 2021 #37
Actually, there were women behind the scenes and even a couple astronauts... llmart Jul 2021 #79
I watched it. It was interesting. The commercialization of space was inevitable. Unrealistic to dameatball Jul 2021 #39
Emit More Carbon Space Tourism Great Idea DanieRains Jul 2021 #69
My kids are already grown up thank you. Leave them out of your replies. dameatball Jul 2021 #78
Meanwhile, 10,000 children will starve to death. Daily, too. czarjak Jul 2021 #40
It's a glorified roller coaster ride Warpy Jul 2021 #41
It's like a new toy plaything for the billionaire class. ananda Jul 2021 #42
The hucksterism made the trip boring. Politicub Jul 2021 #47
Those darn billionaire bicycle repairmen from Ohio started all this. rickford66 Jul 2021 #50
THat's what happens when we don't tax the billionaires FoxNewsSucks Jul 2021 #51
Huge avid space fan here Dukkha Jul 2021 #52
+1 moondust Jul 2021 #59
Elysium - You Got The Thread Winner DanieRains Jul 2021 #70
+1000 smirkymonkey Jul 2021 #73
Mars. Iggo Jul 2021 #77
Repeating the previous success of Shepard's 1961 flight, but with... sanatanadharma Jul 2021 #54
I thought he was british? Mosby Jul 2021 #55
He is. DavidDvorkin Jul 2021 #60
He is British. Justice matters. Jul 2021 #68
They're standing on the shoulders of giants hotdamn00 Jul 2021 #64
This message was self-deleted by its author bringthePaine Jul 2021 #66
or: whopping re-entry fee like the GWB in NYC, maybe a cover & 2 drink minimum?... bringthePaine Jul 2021 #67
"The Beginning of a New Era" - Not... reACTIONary Jul 2021 #74
Yup. Joinfortmill Jul 2021 #80
this shit has always happened in America. WTF??? USALiberal Jul 2021 #84
Could not disagree more. Almost get off my lawn stuff. GulfCoast66 Jul 2021 #88
r&k MerryBlooms Jul 2021 #90
I did not watch nor listen to any of it today altough I had the chance to do so. The pre-coverage riversedge Jul 2021 #91
I don't give a flying fuck about Billionaires in Space. Crunchy Frog Jul 2021 #92
imo it's all about profit. babylonsister Jul 2021 #94
One thing I liked about all the coverage is how small and insignificant the former guy looks. Kota Jul 2021 #97
That is a good point.... PCIntern Jul 2021 #99

cilla4progress

(24,717 posts)
2. Perhaps it's about
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 12:55 PM
Jul 2021

survival?

All I really care about is that the wild - plants and animals - survive...at this point...

Escurumbele

(3,378 posts)
43. Maybe they do have a very genuine interest in space and not a self aggrandizing agenda?
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:55 PM
Jul 2021

Do you think that could be a possibility?

Branson has a reputation for being very down to earth, he even celebrates when his employees fail and just pushes them and helps them to do better. Just because he has amassed a fortune through very hard work and ingenuity doesn't make him a narcissist as opposed to the buffoon we had for president who inherited his money, has screwed a lot of people along the way to his near future bankruptcy.

I don't know about Bezos, but I know that Branson has helped a lot of people along the way and the people who work for him love him.

We have to admire those who have made it through hard work and ingenuity, we don't have to make them our idols but we don't have to make them our enemies or the enemies of society either. I understand Jeff Bezos has not been the best for many of his employees, but he has to be admired for his persistence in building Amazon when so many people were convinced he would fail, which he did for many years but still stuck with his goals, that takes courage and a lot of hard work.

 

DanieRains

(4,619 posts)
61. Would Admire Branson More If He Invented Carbon Capture / Sequestration Breakthroughs
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:39 PM
Jul 2021

Instead of glorifying more carbon burning.

Space Tourism.

As sick as it gets.

But that's just me.

panader0

(25,816 posts)
35. What was the carbon footprint of such an endeavor?
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:33 PM
Jul 2021

Not just the flight itself--the entire process.
Yeah, as a species we may need a place to go someday. Especially if people keep polluting the
F**K out of this planet.

The Blue Flower

(5,433 posts)
5. Agree
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 12:57 PM
Jul 2021

This all seemed to be about marketing whatever this technology will be used for by these billionaires. I grew up in central Florida during the Mercury and Apollo years. We watched the countdowns on tvs in the classroom, then ran outside to watch the sun glint off the rockets as they flew skyward. This had virtually none of the excitement.

brooklynite

(94,333 posts)
48. Plane takeoffs at the airport are pretty dull too
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:05 PM
Jul 2021

But what were they like 100 years ago?

Eventually, cutting edge technology becomes ordinary. They call this “progress”.

Larissa

(788 posts)
81. In my book the NASA Space Shuttle launches are still the top
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 03:29 PM
Jul 2021

They remain some of my favorite things to watch and deepened my respect for the crew members -- scientists and military -- well versed in the demands and risks of their mission:

&t=164s

Vinca

(50,236 posts)
6. I totally agree with you. It's just not as exciting as watching Neil Armstrong descending the
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 12:59 PM
Jul 2021

stairs and stepping onto the moon. It's a rich guy with a fun, new hobby. Whoop-di-doo.

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)
98. Flying to London for a vacation is not as exciting as watching Lindbergh do it.
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 12:30 PM
Jul 2021

But that's how technological revolutions advance.

These are actually the next logical steps; some may seem like stunts or goofing around, but these people are making real advances in our access to space.

Hugin

(33,047 posts)
7. All I know is that TFG's gibbering on Faux this morning was all about how he wasn't...
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 12:59 PM
Jul 2021

at the front of the space parade.

And, Branson (who he hates) was.

Hugin

(33,047 posts)
21. I do agree with the Doc, these achievements are built on the shoulders of giants.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:15 PM
Jul 2021

Even though it's BORING this fact needs to be highlighted and acknowledged.

Branson... Well, he's Branson and he's never been up in my face. Like that guy who loses at everything. So, I'll leave it at that.

Hugin

(33,047 posts)
20. I personally don't but the feed is polluted by those who do.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:11 PM
Jul 2021

Keeping tabs is important, I guess.

msfiddlestix

(7,271 posts)
8. This 10,000 %
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:00 PM
Jul 2021

Absolutely agree and share your perspective.

For that reason, I'm not giving an iota of interest in terms of watching this spectacle of the filthy wealth class showing off their toys, and their enterprises which only intend to benefit their own.

It maybe "Good for them" but is good for Earth's inhabitants? I'm not confident it could ever be good for the rest of us.

Mr.Bill

(24,238 posts)
101. Using a big airplane to haul a smaller airplane up to where it can be released
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 05:49 PM
Jul 2021

to fly higher and faster than the big plane is 1960s or even 1950s technology with a little P.T. Barnum thrown in.

It was about as game changing as if Branson had pulled a transistor radio out of his pocket and turned it on.

brooklynite

(94,333 posts)
10. Answer: this wasn't a news broadcast...
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:02 PM
Jul 2021

Virgin Galactic is a commercial enterprise looking for passengers. This is the commoditization phase of space travel.

brooklynite

(94,333 posts)
44. Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Rail and Virgin Recordss were also "playthings"?
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:57 PM
Jul 2021

He seems to build businesses people want to partake of.

I’d take his space plane…

paleotn

(17,881 posts)
82. His space plane is a toy. A toy for the rich.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 04:41 PM
Jul 2021

No law against it, but I tend to frown on such frivolous things. I know, I'm just no fun. No fun at all.

brooklynite

(94,333 posts)
87. In 1930, a cross-country airplane ticket cost the equivalent of $4,000 today...
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 11:21 PM
Jul 2021

A toy for the rich, right? Think it'll ever catch on?

LynnTTT

(362 posts)
12. Waste of money
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:04 PM
Jul 2021

Two guys who have just realized they've bought everything they can possibly buy, so now it's just boys with toys. It's their money, so fine...... but it belongs on "entertainment" not "science"

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
56. +1000
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:30 PM
Jul 2021

There is so much good that these billionaires could be doing with their money here on earth, but they aren't even trying. They just insist on pissing it all away on vanity projects and it's sickening.

 

DanieRains

(4,619 posts)
65. Absolutely
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:43 PM
Jul 2021

Invent something that helps mankind not hastens our extinction.

Space Tourism.

Annihilation.

NewHendoLib

(60,006 posts)
14. I am a scientist and ate up the NASA stuff of my youth, the Pluto mission, etc.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:04 PM
Jul 2021

but yes - I had no interest in today - greed, power, "influencing" - the world has gone upside down to me.

I have absolutely no interest in pop culture, today's "entertainment", social networking (except for educating) - so much bullshit - but we deserve what we are getting for dumbing so much down.

redstatebluegirl

(12,265 posts)
15. Proof that the rich have to much money.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:06 PM
Jul 2021

People are starving, homeless cannot afford medical care and these two are playing a "whose is biggest" game. Westh inequality is real people.

dalton99a

(81,392 posts)
16. But they are selfless noble people risking their lives to expand our knowledge
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:06 PM
Jul 2021

We do need to find out what it looks like above 50 miles

 

Treefrog

(4,170 posts)
17. Same here. I found it stupid.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:07 PM
Jul 2021

I was alternating between Wimbledon and spaceboy, but at one point thought Brian Stelter needed to breathe into a bag. He sounded so hyper. God that was a waste.

DavidDvorkin

(19,468 posts)
19. I worked on the Apollo missions
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:10 PM
Jul 2021

And I heard the very same objections to the space program back then. Meanwhile, we're still benefiting from the Apollo tech spinoff.

PCIntern

(25,479 posts)
22. Not quite...
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:15 PM
Jul 2021

I understand and recall those objections. They differed from mine. I think the scientific potential is enormous and my objection is that we aren’t paying sufficient attention to that. More attention to the Champagne they were consuming after the fact.

paleotn

(17,881 posts)
29. And the champagne is all Branson cares about....
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:21 PM
Jul 2021

Anything else only matters if they can make a buck off of it. A very short sighted, and incredibly inefficient way of generating advancements in science.

Bengus81

(6,928 posts)
24. Yep..someone on DU wanted to know how any Space or moon mission helped us
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:17 PM
Jul 2021

How about fiber optics for a start??

EX500rider

(10,809 posts)
58. Nope, just advanced or invented these:
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:33 PM
Jul 2021
Health and medicine
2.1 Infrared ear thermometers
2.2 Ventricular assist device
2.3 LASIK
2.4 Cochlear implants
2.5 Artificial limbs
2.6 Light-emitting diodes in medical therapies
2.7 Invisible braces
2.8 Scratch-resistant lenses
2.9 Space blanket
2.10 3D foods printing

3 Transportation
3.1 Aircraft anti-icing systems
3.2 Highway safety
3.3 Improved radial tires
3.4 Chemical detection

4 Public safety
4.1 Video enhancing and analysis systems
4.2 Landmine removal
4.3 Fire-resistant reinforcement
4.4 Firefighting equipment
4.5 Shock absorbers for buildings

5 Consumer, home, and recreation
5.1 TEMPUR foam
5.2 Enriched baby food
5.3 Portable cordless vacuums
5.4 Freeze drying
5.5 Space age swimsuit
5.6 CMOS image sensor
5.7 Air-scrubbers
5.8 Bowflex

6 Environmental and agricultural resources
6.1 Water purification
6.2 Solar Cells
6.3 Pollution remediation
6.4 Correcting for GPS signal errors
6.5 Water location

7 Computer technology
7.1 Structural analysis software
7.2 Remotely controlled ovens
7.3 NASA Visualization Explorer
7.4 OpenStack
7.5 Software catalog

8 Industrial productivity
8.1 Powdered lubricants
8.2 Improved mine safety
8.3 Food safety

paleotn

(17,881 posts)
27. Not the same.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:20 PM
Jul 2021

Space flight was the commons for the common good. Not the plaything of rich, bored brats.

tulipsandroses

(5,122 posts)
33. I loved it. And that is what I was thinking of. I am not focusing on the billionaires.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:28 PM
Jul 2021

Behind them are the scientists, engineers, physicists. What will we learn that will benefit us? Not because of the billionaires, their money will make it possible, but the great minds behind the scenes, what will they learn that may be applicable for the benefit of mankind.


I listened to the various scientists that Ali Velshi interviewed and I enjoyed it. Speaking in complex tech jargon will have people tuning out. I appreciated the simple explanations of difficult concepts by the people interviewed. OF course we cannot possibly understand these concepts in 5 minute interviews.
There were so many good things I saw today. Women on that flight, including a minority woman.
Don't throw the baby out with the bath water because you despise billionaires.

The USA Is lagging in Science and Math careers.

Then we get upset about recruiting people from other countries to fill the need.
I am not thinking about the billionaires, they will fund these projects for their own wants and needs, however don't forget what this means to the people behind the scenes and how their work may benefit us.

ancianita

(35,932 posts)
53. Ali Velshi's one of the smartest interviewers on TV. It's all exciting.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:20 PM
Jul 2021

Just one obvious point -- when scientists work for government, yes, their work has been applicable to public benefits; but when scientists work for billionaires, the billionaires benefit first -- proprietary knowledge, intelligence, lifetime non-disclosure agreements, etc., are among their business tools of privatized space projects. Profit, first; benefits to mankind maybe later or not at all, or only to the mankind going on these trips.
Just the tax breaks they've pooled together to even afford to get to this point of success; they bought up the R&D we paid for decades ago, as well... that was their research scaffold.

Whatever their scientists develop of benefit to Earth humans, they will still be a sales commodity like Tang, teflon, water purification, breathing masks, etc., like from back in the day.

tulipsandroses

(5,122 posts)
83. So are we saying that only the government should be involved in space exploration?
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 05:39 PM
Jul 2021

I have my gripes with billionaires not paying their fair share of taxes. I don't mind business people making money on whatever venture they pursue. As long as it is legal and does not violate ethics and human rights. I don't mind paying for technological advances. I don't have a problem with whatever they discover being a sales commodity either.
Should scientists only work for the government and non billionaires? Benefits don't have to be free to be beneficial.

NASA has already entered into private business ventures. Why should this sector be relegated just to the government?
This article highlights one way that private business ventures has been a benefit.

Companies are increasingly looking to space as a place of business, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been changing in several different ways, especially by partnering with corporations to develop new technologies.

Earlier this year NASA announced it would open the International Space Station to private astronauts, with short missions beginning as soon as 2020. Additionally, NASA said it would allow companies to bid for new activities on the space station, as the agency unveiled a directive to “enable commercial manufacturing and production” in space.

SNIP
DeWit pointed to the satellite segment of the industry as an example for how shifting ownership and operations from government-built-and-owned to commercial can drive innovation, such as communications or services like satellite television.

“The early satellites were all government-owned, and they were limited in their scope and very expensive. When satellites really took off is when the commercial sector came in,” DeWit said. “The commercial sector figured out these uses that the government never would have figured out, and they put their own satellites up there. The cost came down a lot, and the uses went up a lot.”


[link:https://www.cnbc.com/2019/11/30/how-nasa-is-evolving-through-partnerships-with-private-space-companies.html|

I think its an exciting time and like everything there will be pros and cons. Just like the early days of the internet. Who knew from the early days of bulletin boards and slow online dial up that this is where we would be today. I am not mad at them at all.
Again, they need to pay their fair share of taxes. Two things can be true at the same time.

ancianita

(35,932 posts)
86. I don't know about "we." I do realize there are innovators in both private and public sectors.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 10:34 PM
Jul 2021

It does appear to be the first time a major "space" or "interplanetary" project has been sponsored by people with wealth greater than some nations' GDP's, and there will likely be a "we" in and among nations who would team up on such large scale endeavors. There have also been projects that haven't required the interest, knowledge or even civic support by populations -- for ten years the space station was one of them.

Projects do outgrow their creators, and the biggest can hardly be kept secret. And so if NASA needn't be relegated just to government, because it can make a profit, the same can be arguably claimed for the U.S. military or once-governmental services like NOAA or even the CDC.

I'm not sure how any of it can turn out for the benefit of everyone, or that it won't. You bring up the analogy about the Internet's growth, which "we" knew little of as it was happening. By the time kids grew up with it, universities made it computer science, and the rest of us got comfortable using and living with it, it had become a business sector, created NASDAQ and a global trade network, increasing the global GDP. But benefitting everyone?

"We" can do two things as once, but the benefits for "us" are not proportional to our costs. "We" can list plenty of examples of business ventures that on the front end, have received public subsidies, full well knowing that on the other end, the public will also pick up the cleanup costs of business "externalities." Such that, with little to no consent of the governed, government has become more finance tool than profit partner.

I hope the benefits outnumber the costs.

Raven

(13,877 posts)
23. Sow's ear comes to mind. Bramson has turned his addiction to thrills into a silk purse. Watching
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:16 PM
Jul 2021

this on MSNBC was like watching one of those hyped commercials for removing under eye puffiness. This guy spent billions of dollars, that could have gone to feed entire at risk populations, to do what John Glenn and the other early space pioneers did except on Bramson's flight, in-flight drinks and snacks were probably available. Bramson is a tax cheat disguised as an astronaut.

Bengus81

(6,928 posts)
30. Yeah...here's what POS Branson does with some of his cash
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:24 PM
Jul 2021

Branson has pledged to commit $3 billion, all profits from his travel firms over the next ten years, to the reduction of global warming.

He has previously donated to educational charities in Africa.

Branson started his first charity, “Student Valley Centre”, when he was only 17.

Richard is Patron of the International Rescue Corps.

In 2007, Branson formed The Elders – a small, dedicated group of leaders......

PCIntern

(25,479 posts)
38. I for one wasn't criticizing the politics of the individual
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:39 PM
Jul 2021

I was criticizing the coverage of same.

Laffy Kat

(16,373 posts)
31. THIS! As a science and aviation enthusiast I am finding the billionaire space race boring....
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:24 PM
Jul 2021

And frankly vulgar. Big little boys flaunting their toys.

homegirl

(1,427 posts)
36. The Three Billionaires
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:39 PM
Jul 2021

who are planning to commercialize space will be benefiting financially from the Billions, no, possibly Trillions the US taxpayer paid to develop the American Space Program, over decades. Will they pay for that knowledge, will they share the profits with the American taxpayers???

Inquiring minds want to know.


EX500rider

(10,809 posts)
63. They developed their own rockets, NASA didn't hand them plans.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:42 PM
Jul 2021

And in the case of SpaceX's landing rocket they are ahead of NASA using their own money.

Happy Hoosier

(7,216 posts)
95. These are largely private investments.
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 11:26 AM
Jul 2021

Say what you will.... these guys are employing scientists, engineers, and technicians that are developing cutting edge technology that NASA cannot do with its budget.

There are a LOT of engineers like me who would vastly prefer working on space missions instead of working to develop more efficient ways to kill our fellow human beings for the Defense Department.

I work primarily in navigation systems, but I never fool myself about the goal. I'd rather put those talents to use going to Mars, but I love airplanes and space regardless.

These men, whatever their faults, are leveraging their wealth to expand human endeavor and technology to peaceful exploration of space, and to me that's a good thing.

Blue Dawn

(892 posts)
37. I have a totally different perspective.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:39 PM
Jul 2021

I was overjoyed to see women....and young women!....playing a role.

As a woman who was born in the mid 1950s, I don't recall being taught much, if anything, about women and their roles in science, medicine, engineering, physics, and myriad other fields, such as sports and the arts, for example. What I recall about watching any rocket launches on TV was older white men talking to white male astronauts and white male NASA employees. The only women that I recall being highlighted were the wives of the astronauts.

I have absolutely no memories of seeing a woman on TV who was either an astronaut or a behind-the-scenes employee who actually was an integral part of the space program. I'm sure they must have existed. They just were not considered important enough to mention.

Today, I was thrilled to see young woman who are playing vital roles in Virgin Galactic's program. To be honest, it was a rather surreal experience because it was so different from any other space launch I've ever seen. That doesn't make it better or worse, just different. I, for one, actually welcome the difference.

Yes, it was different. But I am ecstatic that young girls and young women who watched the launch today could see these excellent role models.

PCIntern, I always enjoy your posts. And I certainly do respect your viewpoint here. I am certain that many others agree with you. I just perceived it differently.

I do appreciate your post!

llmart

(15,532 posts)
79. Actually, there were women behind the scenes and even a couple astronauts...
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 03:27 PM
Jul 2021

it just wasn't shown or talked about in the mainstream media. Let's not forget Kathryn Johnson. These days NASA has almost as many young women in the astronaut training program and even more doing the behind the scenes, important stuff. My son is an engineer at Kennedy Space Center and I've visited the complex several times. There is an excellent museum on the grounds that highlights the many women who went unrecognized for decades.

Virgin Galactic isn't doing anything groundbreaking with regard to women. I'm also a bit worried about the space program being turned into a commercial enterprise only and doing away with NASA. I can see the GOP would be all for that.

dameatball

(7,394 posts)
39. I watched it. It was interesting. The commercialization of space was inevitable. Unrealistic to
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:42 PM
Jul 2021

think that whoever was footing the bill would refrain from selling their brand. What kept occurring to me was there are going to be oligarch types all over the world who will probably get caught up in this. Once that happens the advances will be coming hard and fast. Just my opinion and the feeling I got as I watched the rich guy start something. What becomes of this is going to be interesting.

 

DanieRains

(4,619 posts)
69. Emit More Carbon Space Tourism Great Idea
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:51 PM
Jul 2021

Your kids can grow up to be fire fighters, and grave diggers, and coffin makers.

Next idea?

Warpy

(111,141 posts)
41. It's a glorified roller coaster ride
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:46 PM
Jul 2021

and I'm sure it will be a howling success among jet setters bored with mere jets.

Still, it has a ghost of a chance or inspiring some new engineering ideas.

I know people who would sacrifice their children to take this ride. I'll pass but I don't make the rules.

This will benefit NM very little, they'll jet directly into the spaceport, take their ride, and jet out.

ananda

(28,834 posts)
42. It's like a new toy plaything for the billionaire class.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:55 PM
Jul 2021

Also, it gets attention and I guess the ultrarich can
use it to make people think they are not just
tax-dodging hoarders...which they are.

Politicub

(12,165 posts)
47. The hucksterism made the trip boring.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 01:59 PM
Jul 2021

And apparently the company didn't budget enough for radio communications or cameras inside of the vessel. The money was spent on Colbert and Khalid or something.

It was a big commercial. To be fair, Branson wasn't coy about it being an advertisement for his space plane service. It was a proof of concept to entice people who have hundreds of thousands of dollars to burn.

There were moments of excitement when the plane was released and when it glided back to earth. Those moments were outweighed by the announcer talking about how Undergear or UnderArmor or Undersomething designed the space suits with fabrics to regulate temperature. And how New Mexico's tourism icon (a sun) was emblazoned on the plane. I'm sure Pepsi or some other sponsor was part of it, too.

After typing this, I feel like I need a shower. This wasn't for humanity; it was for the rich to rub their prestige in everyone's faces.

rickford66

(5,521 posts)
50. Those darn billionaire bicycle repairmen from Ohio started all this.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:12 PM
Jul 2021

Most discoveries on the Earth have been privately funded. Not always for the noblest purposes. What we have to realize is, these wealthy guys can only do this because of all the tax payer research and development that preceded them, but is still would have happened anyway. Sooner or later.

FoxNewsSucks

(10,417 posts)
51. THat's what happens when we don't tax the billionaires
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:19 PM
Jul 2021

and corporations.

In the past, the government was sufficiently funded to research, build, and make trips to the moon. Representing the people, not just one billionaire or corporation, and benefiting everyone. Not just one billionaire or corporation.

Dukkha

(7,341 posts)
52. Huge avid space fan here
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:20 PM
Jul 2021

and I'm not at all interested in this. The space programs of the 60's were awe inspiring and the last of American exceptionalism. This is nothing but another Über-rich 1% dick measuring contest. Instead of space exploration to advance humanity and scientific discoveries, it is pushing the absolute worst of humanity, capitalism, into the final frontier.

The future is not bright but very bleak. We're not getting "2001: A Space Odyssey" with the promise of a new age in human evolution. We're working instead towards "Elysium" where the few elite humans enjoy a life of opulence in orbit while the rest of humanity struggles and scrapes for a meager existence on a dying polluted unstable surface.

 

DanieRains

(4,619 posts)
70. Elysium - You Got The Thread Winner
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:54 PM
Jul 2021

Mankind's extinction clock just ticked ahead a few months / years today.

Woohoo!!!

sanatanadharma

(3,687 posts)
54. Repeating the previous success of Shepard's 1961 flight, but with...
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 02:25 PM
Jul 2021

Repeating the previous success of Shepard's 1961 flight, but with the added patina of a "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" episode.

Response to PCIntern (Original post)

reACTIONary

(5,768 posts)
74. "The Beginning of a New Era" - Not...
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 03:18 PM
Jul 2021

... More like the inevitable petering out of a former, heroic era.

GulfCoast66

(11,949 posts)
88. Could not disagree more. Almost get off my lawn stuff.
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 11:38 PM
Jul 2021

When Automobiles were new the first few in a town were tourist attractions. Same with early flight.

Now space. I live in Central Florida. There is now a weekly launch. More and more of them manned.

The commercialization of space was inevitable and planned. By Democratic administrations as well as republicans.

NASA is there for exploring and research. Getting into space is no longer exploring or research.

Lots to dislike about Musk. But he has helped revolutionize space travel. Surly y’all have seen videos of those rockets coming back and landing to be reused. Even on a boat! I could not believe it the first time I saw it. I truly don’t think if it was all NASA that would have ever happened. It’s not their money ditching into the ocean. I’m a social democrat. Not a socialist. I see the advantage of using personal best interest to motivate actions.

At least he has used his Billions for something that benefits all humankind. Need I point out Billionaires like the Cock brothers! And how they used their Billions.

Sorry to disagree. But I’ve long dreamed about a time when humans going into space was not a news worthy item. But like a plane taking off from OIA. I’m a long time SF fan. Not a total geek, but a half geek!

riversedge

(70,077 posts)
91. I did not watch nor listen to any of it today altough I had the chance to do so. The pre-coverage
Sun Jul 11, 2021, 11:54 PM
Jul 2021

just put me off. As you say it was all about billionaires now being able to travel in space.

babylonsister

(171,032 posts)
94. imo it's all about profit.
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 09:11 AM
Jul 2021

I heard it mentioned yesterday there are 700 people on a list to go into space, including Lady Gaga and Tom Cruise. They're ponying up $250K each for the privilege.

That's some incentive.

Kota

(901 posts)
97. One thing I liked about all the coverage is how small and insignificant the former guy looks.
Mon Jul 12, 2021, 12:25 PM
Jul 2021

They kept saying how great the branding was by Branson. He's a master at it. I hope it pissed the former guy off. And I hope it helps all his supporter see what a pathetic brand Trump is.

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