November 14, 2006

Private Space Exploration

I watched a show on the Discovery Channel this weekend about private industry leaders using their money to promote space exploration. Everyone from Richard Branson to Jeff Bezos is hopping on the space bandwagon. Their hope - to bring space to everyone.
There's no turning back and things will continue to progress but in my opinion, space exploration becoming something of a tourist attraction is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, it's very exciting... the thought of discovering what else is out there and allowing the 'common man' the opportunity to see things that only billionaires and NASA/etc have had the luxury of seeing.
But I can't help but think we don't deserve the 'get out of jail free' card that we're searching for.
Consider the damage we are doing to our own planet. Do we really want to litter space too (more than we already are)? Maybe we just need to find alternate solutions to the problems we've already created.
What do you think?

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