Vanity projects and brand promos or a plan-B for humanity?

Two near-space trips nine days apart. Incredible developments since NASA retired the Space Shuttle. It’s weird, though, this mix of capitalism and billionaire competitions wrapped in the guise of space exploration. And it feels different from what Musk is doing.

While the idea of space tourism has its appeal, there is some debate on whether these astronomically expensive initiatives are benefiting humanity. And there’s some chatter that there is little scientific value, that the billions could be better spent and prioritized. Seriously, it’s a lot of money to pay for an Instagram moment.

When NASA was the fabric of our nation in the 60s, space exploration and getting to the moon was a glue that ignited and galvanized the population. This feels decidedly different.
As physicist Steven Weinberg observed way back in 2004, “NASA administrators, astronauts, aerospace contractors, and politicians typically find manned space flight just wonderful.” And now you can add billionaires too.
Some have called them vanity projects and brand promotions, others a plan-B for humanity, but anyway you look at it, it’s driving change and innovation. There’re valid arguments to be made on both sides.