Leave Outer Space to the Millionaires

tcd004 writes "Martin Rees, Britain's Astronomer Royal has an interesting article in Foreign Policy arguing that the future of manned space travel should be left to wealthy adventurers. He points to the fact that modern state-funded space disasters become national traumas, and argues that that gung-ho millionaires are more free to take risks because they 'don't represent a nation; [they] represent humanity.'"

Comments

Boy bands in space.

[joeware]

I agree. Let's send all the boy bands into space.

Re:Boy bands in space.

[Usquebaugh]

But who would cut the grass?

You know what will happen, don't you?

[L. VeGas]

When they come back to earth, they will be forced to wear iron collars and chains because they keep saying, "Damn, dirty apes!"

Re:Space should be left to corperations

[GoofyBoy]

The point of the article is that the "overinflated male ego which still needs to prove that he is still sexy to any 20 year old girl" will push us to Mars and back with still enough energy to develop a working Dysan Sphere.

Re:Space should be left to corperations

[RatBastard]

Never underestimate the power of a good-looking 20-year old girl.

Re:Really?

[Carnivorous Carrot]

> Millionaires represent humanity?

As opposed to what socialist nonsense?

Homer Simpson, "averagenaut"?

(Oh, and thanks for the setup. I'd have posted your comment anon just so I could post this reply. But I knew someone would come thru!)

Re:Wow

[moitz]

ten bucks says someone builds a golf course on the lunar surface

This hole is a par 5, 19km. The green is at 18.5km, and up 17 meters.

-moitz-

Just pray...

[Kjella]

...that they don't run into ET out there. Could you imagine the first impression they get if they meet a bunch of boy bands? Excuse me, I'll just go dig a bomb shelter now...

Kjella

Re:Space should be left to corperations

[ddimas]

It's been quantized. 1 millihelen (remember Helen of Troy?)is the amount of beauty needed to launch a single ship.