The latest billionaire space circle jerk.

[zebo-the-fat]

I am not begrudging problem solving. What I am warning against is ego driven profit chasing. Rockets require fossil fuels to get into space. So if we replace every passenger jet, which also requires fossil fuels, with rockets, and takeoffs of rockets were as daily as our current takeoffs of passenger jets, at the same volume, would not help in solving climate change.

I don't see a 100% future where all burning of fossil fuels will cease. But we certainly can as a species reduce that burning to a manageable level. But right now, "space tourism" is not only impractical, it won't end our burning of fossil fuels. 

For right now as far as space exploration, that needs to be limited to science, not exploitation. 

In theory, I'd love to see the majority of humans being able to view the planet in orbit. I do think psychologically it could imprint the notion that our only home isn't to be fought over and one we all share. But the fact is, fossil fuels are killing our planet. And I don't think it is as simple as replacing passenger jets with rockets in the same numbers. 

Imagine space travel launching rockets at the same rate every day as passenger jets. It still requires burning fossil fuels in both cases. That solves nothing. 

I am for space exploration. But for now, I think humanity would be better served at limiting rockets to science, not pleasure.

Space rockets don’t use fossil fuels. They never have.

Boru

Not true, while some use liquid oxygen and hydrogen, but many still use liquid oxygen and kerosine as fuel, the kerosine being distilled from petroleum