Yes, I want to go into space, but do they have a suit to fit me?Date: 7/19/2021 I remember as a kid watching live coverage of rockets blasting away from Florida in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs.
It was a big deal and it was history in the making.
The moon landing was something I also saw, as well as the return of the astronauts from that lunar expedition.
I would venture to say that most people of my generation watched with fascination as the outer boundaries of this world were challenged.
That is why I also watched this week the billionaire’s race to space with great interest.
The innovations brought by the money of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson is admirable, but what bothers me is the fact that these trips to the edges of the atmosphere are being seen by some as the ultimate amusement park ride.
Reuters reported the cost for riding in Branson’s space ship – yes, an archaic term but one I find oddly romantic – “[Branson] said 600 wealthy would-be citizen astronauts have also booked reservations, priced at about $250,000 per ticket for the exhilaration of supersonic flight, weightlessness and the spectacle of spaceflight … Branson has said he aims ultimately to lower the price to about $40,000 per seat as the company ramps up service, achieving greater economies of scale. [Virgin CEO Michael Colglazier] Colglazier said he envisions eventually building a large enough fleet to accommodate roughly 400 flights annually at the spaceport.”
I suppose this is where transporting people in and through space needs to start, but the question is what is the actual goal beyond that?
Are these three men spending all this money for amusement – unlikely – or to develop a technology that will be used in a different way? Would we use it for traveling to a point half way around the globe? Would a civilian space station/resort be the next thing developed? Are there military applications?
It’s fascinating to ponder what are the actual motivations with this endeavor. I understand why people such as the Duryea Brothers developed the gasoline-powered automobile. It was a consumer product.
Will rockets become something such as that? Can you envision that future?
The idea of a rocket in every driveway is intriguing to say the least. I can only hope that future comes before intelligent apes become our overlords or there is a zombie apocalypse.
Would I want to take a flight in one of these new spacecraft? Absolutely. I don’t know if they make space suits in fat guy sizes – there’s probably a surcharge for that – but I’m willing to suit up if they want a member of the press on board.
My liberal bias
I had a reader express concerns about our “liberal bias” and used as an example was the story I ran in several editions about Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s recent appearance in Springfield.
I did not write this story because I’m liberal or a Democrat but because a senator appearing in Western Massachusetts is news – because they don’t come here very often.
Sen. Edward Markey has been coming here more, I will readily admit. We have covered some of his appearances but not all. Being a senator does not mean an automatic story with me.
Warren spoke – you can read the story at thereminder.com – about issues with which she has concerns and answered questions from constituents. I thought it would be of interest for people to read about those issues.
If you hate Warren, as some people do, because she is a Democrat or a liberal, or a woman, or a college professor or the fact she drinks Michelob Ultra, so be it. Don’t’ read the story. Turn the page.
If I were such a partisan would I have put numerous stories about Gov. Baker in these papers, frequently on the front page? I’ve praised the governor a number of times in this column. Would I print letters from folks who don’t just disagree with me, but actively don’t like me?
I don’t make endorsements, I sign my name to my columns, I express opinions through this column and I make space available to letters that are counter to those opinions. And yes, I’ve voted for Republicans when I thought they were the best candidates.
I think the only other thing I could do to please some folks is for me to retire – not happening yet – or keel over and die, which I hope is not happening soon, but who knows? Until then, feel free to express your opinions through a letter. Send them to news@thereminder.com.
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