Here is the skinny on a previously top secret engineering project that is the baby of British billionaire, Sir Richard Branson and aerospace engineer, Burt Rutan. They have had engineers working on designing a spaceship, that will carry another spaceship which will transport rich tourists into space, above the earth, for a 5-minute weightless experience.
The “mothership” is going to be introduced to the public on Monday. Space Ship Two will carry the passengers. It isn’t ready yet to be introduced. Models of the two ships will be shown. When it goes into service…space ship two, will be capable of carrying two pilots plus six passengers.
I don’t know about you; but, this whole project sits wrong with me. In a world that is demanding more and more fuel to support their daily living, getting to and from work…at a high cost i might add; it seems to me to set a new level of irresponsible entrepeneurialship. Yes, it would be a marvel of invention…but, does their right to have such an experience outweigh the need or demand here on earth for the fuels? Air travel uses such large amounts of fuel…are we ready to allow jet fuel to be siphoned off to what amounts to space tourism?
Oh sure, those “rich” tourists might not feel the pinch when they plunk down their $200,000 dollar deposit, there are already 250 who have done so; however, the amount of fuel that will be consumed on such personally gratifying experiences will only increase the demand for fuel needed for air travel here on earth. It will also add unnecessary risks to those who would gladly pay for the priviledge.
I don’t understand why people who have that kind of “toss away” money, can’t seem to find something more humanitarian to do with it; rather than throw it away on something that really boils down to a status symbol, of the financially elite.
The money that was spent on developing such a “service” could well have been spent on improving the lives of millions of people around the world who are in need of homes, health insurance, food programs for the hungry; or, spent on developing alternative energy sources; so that we don’t continue to harm the environment here on earth using up our supply of fossil fuels while endangering the ozone layer. The money could have helped to relieve the stress on our energy grids by increasing the availability of solar energy or wind power.
Yes, I understand it is their money to with what they wish…but, the resources that it will need to fuel such a service, is a resource that we all need here on earth; and, we need it for more than bragging rights of having traveled into space! Do you think that this Space Tourism is a good idea?
Write where you are 
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