[snowwrestler]

Bezos has more wealth than Musk, but SpaceX has paying customers. I believe Musk has said that they have about $10 billion committed from customers already. That generates cashflow, plus gives them a good story to tell when they pitch seek outside investors.

[Klathmon]

While not in the same realm, Blue Origin is hoping to start making some money via "space tourism" very soon.

They also make money via manufacturing for other companies. IIRC the engine for New Glenn is going to be used in an upcoming ULA rocket.

It's very early for them, and it's clear that SpaceX has a good decade or so on them, but it's exciting to have the possibility of real competition in this area again.

[jacquesm]

> While not in the same realm, Blue Origin is hoping to start making some money via "space tourism" very soon.

How realistic is this hope? Do they have an assembly line for a fleet of them and are these anywhere close to being certified for travel by the general public?

[Klathmon]

I don't know, but that's been the plan for New Shepard since the beginning.

IIRC it's more of something for millionaires that want to be "among the first" to get into "space".

Again, i'm not sure how viable it is, but that's been their public message. They even have a few videos on youtube advertising it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YJhymiZjqc

[DasIch]

You're being incredibly generous assuming that it is possible to make space tourism affordable for enough people to become a viable product.