Virgin Galactic Space Ride

JFK vs Richard Branson

It was in 1961 - 60 years ago - that JFK committed America to a moon landing. Today I just witnessed Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic making its first space shot with himself and others onboard.

While watching, many were saying "What's the big deal?" The shuttle did this for decades. Astronauts have done it longer. He barely touched the edge of space.

The big deal has two elements.

Firstly they took off aboard a conventional albeit unique aircraft using a runway and wings to become airborne. It also carried ordinary citizens. It landed by conventional means as well, as did the shuttle. Most space shots for the moon and beyond use huge rockets to lift off which in itself is a very dangerous undertaking. This launching technique is safer and cheaper. The moment of release from the mother ship then becomes the critical moment. The risk here is also minimized to the craft itself and those inside.

Secondly the money and resources were primarily from private sources, not government taxation which everyday citizens fund. This is the biggest benefit in my opinion. The cost of any non-human loss or failure is not born by the taxpayers.

So what would JFK have said if he were still with us? He surely would have spoken when such private dreams were first revealed. I suspect he would have preferred the government approach. It generated far more jobs and general research and development in many areas. It also put the country and its administration on the map, not a person and their company. One fear might have been that a private company or citizen could pack up and leave, taking their big boy toys and technology with them.

There is also the question of whether this immensely expensive undertaking is only available to the super rich. Rich/poor disparities are hardly a new debate. Kennedy and his family were  super rich but hardly in the multi billionaire category so I think he would not have seen any problem in that regard.

The entire subject of obscene wealth existing in our society is another topic for another day. It has always existed and is getting worse. However surely it is better that these people use their wealth to further technology - something we might all need one day. It is better than purchasing another yacht or opening another account with idle funds just making them richer which is what normally happens with the super wealthy.

The real question now is - and those of us alive today will not witness the answer - whether only those super rich will be the only ones able to escape a calamity or apocalypse on earth if it is needed. This is like the Titanic. I suspect the answer will be that most of our descendants will be locked below deck awaiting our fate.

In closing the best approach in my opinion is to put that wealth to use saving the damn planet we all share. Bill Gates is taking that course.

#thebrewsterblock