Continue Discussion - visit the forum 17 replies
May 2022

system

I can’t say I feel sorry for them feeling overworked. Sorry for the professional astronauts who had to babysit them, but not for the rich tourists.

May 2022

Gwen_Walcott

oh, poor babies. Maybe their mamas can kiss them on the forehead and make things all better.
Or mebbe the go-mint can fine them an extra billion for wasting everyone’s time.

1 reply
May 2022

system

“Using the most diplomatic language possible…”
That’s for sure. All the statements quoted are so vague as to be almost meaningless. Must be 3 more billionaires on deck. BTW, deposits are non-refundable. And, no, you can’t fire the Staff.

May 2022

keith

Life is rough then you die.

If the flight had not been lengthened maybe they would have sued the former astronaut who botched estimation of workload.

May 2022

system

Having interns always makes for a big increase in workload for the staff.

I think this demonstrates that space tourism, if it is to happen, should not make use of government facilities and personnel. All the tourists probably wanted was the launch experience and to look out the window once in orbit, not to become grad students doing some tenured professor’s lab work. Honor any existing financial commitments, then discontinue the program.

May 2022

dougb450

Thank you. This is the most reasonable response so far. Tourism is going to happen, there’s money to be made. Can’t really blame anybody for unanticipated difficulties just yet, it takes experience and practice to get things right, no?

May 2022

maule

Financial giants
Character pygmies.

1 reply
May 2022

krogers59

What a joke. They had experiments to do. Limited training no doubt. So is anyone going to seriously use any of the data. Just take their money and give them a window to look out of. Then send them home.

May 2022

system

It would have been both nice and informative if there were details regarding what issues were encountered, other than not having a window seat. How about a little factual reporting.

May 2022

system

Old proverb: Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days.

May 2022 ▶ maule

system

I understand your sentiment, doctor, but suggest you use a different metaphor. I know pygmies and know them to be resourceful wonderful human beings. Pygmies are not the kind of people to whom you’re trying to compare these space tourists.

1 reply
May 2022

rocketraman

The envy and malice displayed here, on an aviation site no less, is surprising. The aviation industry did not spring fully formed into existence – neither will the space industry. Grab a bag of popcorn, and enjoy the birth of an entirely new industry, and celebrate everyone who is a part of it. These early steps of the commercial space industry will end with our children traveling as easily into space as we travel into the air today.

1 reply
May 2022 ▶ rocketraman

system

Raman, good comment!

May 2022 ▶ Gwen_Walcott

system

Well that was a responsible rational response

May 2022 ▶ system

maule

You are ABSOLUTLY correct.

I had considered the possibility that my analogy might be interpreted this way but I used it anyway because I was referring only to physical size and no other attribute.

May 2022

maule

Zero envy or malice on my part.

I can be unimpressed with a person’s character or behavior without being envious or malicious.

Such emotions are not in my repertoire. I am blessed beyond comprehension, more so even in the world to come than this particular fallen one, but even here I want for nothing.

May 2022

system

Sadly, this is nothing new. The Russians started bringing well-heeled space tourists up to its old Mir space station while it was in orbit. They needed the money to help support the station’s operations. On one trip it didn’t go well when one of the “cosmonauts” freaked out and had to be physically restrained until he could be stuffed back into a Soyuz capsule and returned to earth. I guess even billionaire oligarchs get claustrophobia.