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Neil deGrasse Tyson Says Private Business Will Not Open the Space Frontier

Posted by samzenpus on from the what-the-market-will-bear dept.

MarkWhittington writes "Neil deGrasse Tyson, the famous astrophysicist and media personality, offered something of a reality check on the potential of commercial enterprises to open the space frontier without the aid of government. Specifically referencing SpaceX's CEO Elon Musk's boast that he would establish a Mars colony, Tyson said on a recent video podcast, 'It's not possible. Space is dangerous. It's expensive. There are unquantified risks. Combine all of those under one umbrella; you cannot establish a free market capitalization of that enterprise.'"

4 of 580 comments (clear)

  1. The answer: by FPhlyer · · Score: 5, Funny

    Forget Govt. subsidizing of space exploration or private industry.
    We. Need. KERBALS!
    In less than 10 years my Kerbals have colonized two worlds and visited countless moons. How? Because Kerbals take the risks!

    --
    Brought to you by Frobozz Magic Penguin Fodder.
  2. Re:I suspect he's wrong. by K.+S.+Kyosuke · · Score: 5, Funny

    And I suspect he should look up the definition of the word Entrepreneur sometime.

    A USS Enterprise crew member?

    --
    Ezekiel 23:20
  3. Re:CARL SAGAN ROLLING IN GRAVE !! by myowntrueself · · Score: 1, Funny

    "There are more stars in our galaxy than there are atoms in the universe."
    -- Niel DeGrasse Tyson

    --
    In the free world the media isn't government run; the government is media run.
  4. Re:Doesn't matter. Only option. by boarder8925 · · Score: 4, Funny

    They should just go ahead and upgrade to the F150. I hear you can get one of those things for around $20,000.

    --
    Keep your eyes to the sky.