Slashdot Mirror
Virgin Galactic Unveils SpaceShipTwo
BoulderDad writes, "Richard Branson presented a mock-up of the new SpaceShipTwo in New York. From the article: 'Future passengers aboard Virgin Galactic spaceliners can look forward to cushioned reclining seats and lots of windows during suborbital flights aboard SpaceShipTwo, a concept interior of which was unveiled by British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson Thursday.' The video is worth watching; the spaceport details are more concept than reality, but the depiction of the phases of space flight is very good."
From TFA:
"If you're going to build a spaceship, you've got to build a green spaceship," Branson said, adding that the carbon dioxide output from a single spaceflight is on par with those of a business class seat aboard commercial aircraft.
So, they aren't going to pollute much at all. As for being for rich people only, well, that's generally how new technologies work. Commercial air travel was, at the beginning, a luxurious way for the wealthy to travel. New technologies are expensive, and tend to be geared at first toward people who can afford them. As these flights become routine, and as the technology improves (and especially as competition enters the market), prices will fall.
So, they aren't going to pollute much at all.
FTA: Launched from 60,000 feet.
I don't suppose they're lauching these ships by these energy friendly means.
More like they latch this bugger onto a jet, take off with it and then launch the space ship from it. Can't say that sounds as efficient an ordinary old business class jet.
A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
Passengers will have several minutes of weightlessness during the spaceflight, and then have about 40 seconds to return to their seats
200K for "several minutes" in space? Sorry, I'll wait until 2010 for Bigelow's space hotel.
As for several minutes of weightlessness, you can get
that from conventional aircraft.
True, but what you don't get is the blue sky disappearing to be replaced with the blackness of space. I'd also imagine you can see the curvature of the earth quite well from 60 miles up. Weightlessness is kinda cool I'm sure, but I think the selling point for all the millionaires will be the visuals, the G-forces, and of course telling all your too-rich friends that you officially went into space. I imagine if this thing is successfull it could fund the next stage, which would be an orbital vehicle.
AccountKiller
I agree that far too little is done about global hunger and poverty. The socialist in me thinks rich countries should find ways to help people so they don't suffer. However...
When was the last time you went out to eat?
Have you ever spent $20 on a good meal? $40? $100?
If so, for the price of your one meal, dozens of hungry people could have been fed. Using your logic, I'd say everyone should only eat the least expensive foods they can get their hands on, never have any entertainment expenses (you don't buy games, do you?) and give all of their non-necessity income to the poor.
Somehow, I don't think you're doing that. And you shouldn't.
There aren't many good answers for getting around the system and feeding the world's hungry, but "rich people shouldn't spend their money on things they want to buy" is at the bottom of the barrel. Unless you're willing to make the same sacrifices in your everyday life, I wouldn't expect others to - it's really just a drop in the bucket either way.
But first, you need to have somewhere to go. After you go through the 1,000 people on the planet that can afford to do this AND want to do this for fun
I just had an image of a slashdotter from last century saying the same thing to the wright brothers...
... some people will definitely want more. And companies will be way more willing to invest once the business model is proven.