[retrac]

What they are all doing has real risks. There is a slight but still real chance they die explosively, and I'm sure they understand that. Particularly the proposed orbital flights. This is a potentially very expensive marketing gimmick.

You are right that it's sexy, though. I figure something deeper is driving them. Us. Probably the same basic mystical awe I get watching old film of Apollo missions. Some mix of ego and adventure and eccentric waste. The PR and marketing is just the cherry on top, surely.

[bb2018]

I agree its risky. Perhaps I'm being pedantic but seems weird to do an entire article on Musk's vision for space and not once mention starlink or the satelite side of the business.

The not-up-to-date person reading this would truly think that the billions of dollars funding this by Musk are like a side project done simply because of his dreams of terraforming Mars. Maybe Musk is serious about that - but if described with starlink you realize its much less of a "billionaire hobby obsession" and more of a "potentially profitable business (with bragging rights too)"

[wmf]

More people have flown safely on Crew Dragon than on New Shepard.