I rolled my eyes when I heard of Jeff Bezos’ journey into space this week. One more super rich guy with his vanity project. Meanwhile, there are too many problems here on earth. As my husband Randy followed the launch on cable news, I half-watched. Then I heard something that riveted my attention.
An 18-year-old boy was going up with them. My motherly instincts went on full alert.
Also on board were Bezos’ brother Mark, and Wally Funk, an 82-year-old NASA veteran. She’d been denied going into space earlier because of her gender.
My mind flashed to the Challenger tragedy in 1986. The smiling faces of those seven astronauts, including high school teacher Christa McAuliffe, as they boarded. And then the unthinkable. Once in space, the rocket blew apart before everyone’s eyes. I’ll never forget the stricken faces of Christa‘s parents in the stands.
Knowing that young boy was involved upped the ante for me. Him on this journey — along with elderly Wally, and brother Mark — had all the hallmarks of a made-for-television tragedy.
The last few seconds of lift-off were called. I held my breath.
Engines fired and the rocket ascended. I’m no expert, but compared to Richard Branson’s sleek, modern aircraft, Bezos’ looked like something out of the Jetson’s.
The rocket lumbered up and didn’t so much cut the air as shove it aside.
And yet watching, I found myself transfixed and surprisingly moved. Not only by the fragile life onboard, but (despite all the hubris) the great bravery and innovation it took to pull off.
“Please make it,” I found myself saying. I couldn’t stop thinking of that boy’s parents on the ground, watching as their young son soared so far away.
After a few minutes, the rocket reached an unfathomable 350,000 feet. We could hear the happy yips of the weightless people onboard. Of course, Bezos had to go further than Branson. I can’t imagine what Elon Musk will do. Zero gravity tennis, anyone?.
Minutes later, it was time to return. Unlike the sleek landing of Branson’s craft, Bezos’ nubby capsule came down with an unceremonious thud. And that was that.
I’ll say one thing, these billionaires know how to put on a show.
On one hand, I understand their money is needed in practical, immediate ways—fighting hunger, disease, and poverty. And I want to believe these guys do give… a lot…to charities. We just don’t know it. (I really need to believe that. I won’t even go into their paying taxes).
On the other hand, there was something stirring about the sight. It must be akin to watching the Wright Brothers take that first flight from Kitty Hawk in 1903. I was especially happy to see that young man emerge, happy and unscathed.
Like it or not, we seem to be entering a new era. Who knows what all this means? And where it will lead for our grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beyond?
All I know is it took my motherly instincts to tune in. But I was more moved than expected.
How do you feel about space explorations by billionaires? Comments are always welcome and if you’d like, please share.
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Donna Tagliaferri
I believe in the private sector for everything . We will solve all problems if the government will let us. Regular folks in space is fabulous. (18 year old aside) we can solve energy problems, space travel, autos..medicine…all of it
Laurie Stone
Donna, It’s certainly a fascinating new era we seem on the edge of. Life moves on!
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski
I have to admit that as a mom I was concerned about the 18 year old, the older woman and 2 brothers going up. I still remember the shock of the shuttle crash. However I still get excited about space flight being old enough to witness men walking on the moon. We seem so behind considering that was 50 years ago. Both billionaires pledged to help fix climate change. We can only hope.
Laurie Stone
Rebecca, So true. I believe all these space billionaires (including maybe Elon Musk) are environmentally-aware. Who knows where this will all go? I agree, it’s interesting to watch.
Pennie Nichols
I had conflicting feelings and thoughts around this and other “vanity” projects, but part of what’s happening is pulling us forward. Most of us won’t see or experience where this takes us, but there is one constant as our world is drawn forward: a mother stands in the wake of the journey with a hand clutched to her heart.
Laurie Stone
Pennie, So well put. Yes, beyond all the technological advancement is the simple love of mother for child.
Meryl
The event took our minds off, if for only a small amount of time, the craziness of real life around us. Maybe long-term something positive will come from the theatrics, besides selling trips for exorbitant amounts of money.
Laurie Stone
Meryl, It was an interesting spectacle. I guess time will tell how this all plays out.
Lea Sylvestro
As you reflected at the start, it’s hard not to think of the difference that money could make in so many desperate arenas here on Earth. We have this extraordinary miracle of a planet – being good stewards serves us as well as posterity. But these guys have more money than we can grasp, and, as you said, I hope they’re using it for good as well as to push the limits of technology and space-exploration. XO
Laurie Stone
Lea, I want to believe they give a lot in other ways, besides the space missions. God knows, this planet needs it.
Carol Cassara
If they share their technology then I am all for it. I am never for vanity projects like this.
Laurie Stone
Carol, I want to believe good will come out of this for everyone, in some way.
Diane
All of these expeditions pave the way for the new and exciting…for those who can afford it. Which, of course, I’ll never be able to do. So I’m feeling rather…removed from it all. It seems such a huge waste of time and resources. It’s funny because I was hugely excited when governments combined to do the same thing. It seemed all mankind was making the trip together. This? Not so much.
Laurie Stone
Diane, Good way to put it. When governments went into space, it felt different. It’s not one very rich man indulging his fantasies.