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albertop | 2 years ago

Space X is proving without any doubt that the space exploration can be done significantly cheaper by private company.

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eru|2 years ago

Yes. I didn't bring them up, because most of their customer base is still governments, and that would have muddied the argument.

(I think that (most of) space exploration should be left completely to the private sector, not just the execution, but also the financing.

Even if you think that the government should be involved in the sciences, manned space flight is pretty much a more expensive version of unmanned space flight.

It's useful as entertainment only, so far. Eg the moon landing was great entertainment, better than a Marvel movie. But also more expensive. I don't think the government should be involved in providing entertainment.

But in any case, after the moon landing, the amount of inspiration coming out of manned space flight has dropped dramatically.)

ffhhttt|2 years ago

> space exploration should be left completely to the private sector, not just the execution,

If you’re fine with there being no space exploration whatsoever. Which is a reasonable view, it’s very expensive and highly unprofitable.

Why would a (rational) private corporation ever send a rover to mars or a drone to titan? It would be an absurd thing to do..