[chimmy_chonga]

Those served an actual purpose though. They weren't just shoved into space just to say, "hey look at what we did". That's the point they're making. Don't pollute space just because you can.

EDIT: typos

[anotheryou]

One could argue: this one gets press, which gets funding, which is quite important for science.

[chimmy_chonga]

that's a good point

[rbanffy]

This also serves a purpose - there had to be a payload to properly test the rocket.

It'll come down in 9 months or so.

Also, from LEO, it's not that visible.