I'm all for lots of people going into space and rich tourist going there will lower the cost for the rest of us some day, BUT I doubt if $20 million covers the total amortized cost to the taxpayers of one person's stay. It may cover the Russians' marginal costs but they are ripping off the investments of the other ISS participants.
The wealthy space tourists should establish and pay the development costs for a private service into space, not use public facilities at less than cost. Private citizens don't buy their way (directly) onto other national platforms such as jet fighters and the South Pole Station. If they want those experiences they use private services. Space travel should be the same.
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I'm all for lots of people going into space and rich tourist going there will lower the cost for the rest of us some day, BUT I doubt if $20 million covers the total amortized cost to the taxpayers of one person's stay. It may cover the Russians' marginal costs but they are ripping off the investments of the other ISS participants. The wealthy space tourists should establish and pay the development costs for a private service into space, not use public facilities at less than cost. Private citizens don't buy their way (directly) onto other national platforms such as jet fighters and the South Pole Station. If they want those experiences they use private services. Space travel should be the same.