[hn_throwaway_99]

This feels unnecessary cynical. I could understand if the spacecraft said "Drink Ovaltine" or something else just advertising with paid placement, but the brand marks on it are just highlighting the organizations the actually built the thing. I was originally confused/skeptical about Columbia, but they did actually contribute to the design and construction of the lander, even if this press release is a little puffed up: https://investor.columbia.com/news-events/press-releases/det....

Also, you say "It's all just egos and entertainment now." What do you think it was in 1969? Is "beat the Russians" somehow a more noble goal than "sell a product"?

[dylan604]

Eventually, spacecraft will look like a NASCAR paint job.

[jjkaczor]

Back when I used to help organized and run a technology-specific usergroup, where we were constantly working corporate sponsors for donations to pay for food/beverages, I joked that on meeting nights I would gladly wear a NASCAR style jumpsuit, emblazoned with every sponsor brand logo/slogan. At least we would be honest shills. Sigh... no one took me up on the offer.

[dylan604]

I still think that politicians should wear a jumpsuit with all of their corporate sponsors

[anigbrowl]

Perhaps briefly. Eventually they will look like cargo ships.

[dylan604]

What makes you think a cargo ship can't have a NASCAR paint job?

[anigbrowl]

It's not that they can't, it's that they don't.