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It's devastating to see comments like this downvoted. Sure, maybe the tone could be improved, could be perhaps less arrogant or judgemental, or maybe whiny. I d

It's devastating to see comments like this downvoted. Sure, maybe the tone could be improved, could be perhaps less arrogant or judgemental, or maybe whiny. I don't know what the downvoters thought. But I hope people realize how extremely precarious of a position we're in as species. To live sustainably on this planet we all must be asking these questions, whether space travel -- or, suborbital flight tourism -- is in the budget.

tgv 3y ago
> Sure, maybe the tone could be improved Sometimes, you just have to call out the obvious. But it's been upvoted again. It seems more people have a rather dim idea of this contribution to science and humanity.
causi 3y ago
The inspirational effect on people in general and particularly kids is not to be discounted. If you want the next generation of scientists, you have to give them something to dream about. These launches are more than worth it.
- lostlogin 3y ago
  I’d encourage the kids to aim higher than a tourist trip near space.
  - causi 3y ago
    I dunno about your career but "Suborbital spacecraft pilot" is a much cooler job title than my current one.
    - lostlogin 3y ago
      Are we sure it’s a spacecraft?
      - causi 3y ago
        It has a pressurized hull, a rocket engine, and cold gas maneuvering thrusters. Whether or not you consider an altitude of 85KM to be "space", the vehicle itself is a spacecraft.