NationStates Jolt Archive

http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/06/news/international/virgin_space.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

Evidently Virgin Air is giving free space flights forfrequent fliers, starting in 2008 or so. Now to me this is an awesome step forward, how long do you supposed before space flights become an average everyday occurence?

http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/06/news/international/virgin_space.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

Evidently Virgin Air is giving free space flights forfrequent fliers, starting in 2008 or so. Now to me this is an awesome step forward, how long do you supposed before space flights become an average everyday occurence?
When the US government stops funneling assloads of money into decrepit NASA for a space program and starts funneling them into the private sector.

When the US government stops funneling assloads of money into decrepit NASA for a space program and starts funneling them into the private sector.
NASA suffers from a degree of organizational ossification, just like virtually every other governmental agency/program. The wonder is that it does as well as it does, given the circumstances.

probably sometime after the rest of the world has told the americans to go away and annoy someone else.

basicly with the shuttles gone america has a simular space program to Europe and Japan.

i.e. rockets lifting satalites and probes up and thats it

its not even as if your really as far ahead as you were.

russia is far ahead in getting people up and out there for lengths of time as well as cargo lifting.

Europe is ahead in ion propulsion

and china is rushing along catching up fast.

japan is lagging but thats because of funding cuts and problems with new launching systems.

so you want to go to space probably look to Russia and China, with Japan just behind

http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/06/news/international/virgin_space.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

Evidently Virgin Air is giving free space flights forfrequent fliers, starting in 2008 or so. Now to me this is an awesome step forward, how long do you supposed before space flights become an average everyday occurence?

Someone explain to me how having to buy enough airline tickets to accrue two million flyer club miles translates into "free?" Figure the average cost of a Virgin Air aircraft ticket, and multiply by the number of tickets one needs to buy in order to get two million miles. Probably more than $200,000.

Edit: In fact, I just payed a visit to Virgin Atlantic's website, and checked the cost of a Los Angeles to London ticket, selecting the lowest "Economy" price for one Adult. At the price and flyer miles offered, assuming prices and miles offered would be similar in 2008, I would have to spend over $300,000 before I could get my $200,000 spaceflight. "Free" indeed.

Someone explain to me how having to buy enough airline tickets to accrue two million flyer club miles translates into "free?" Figure the average cost of a Virgin Air aircraft ticket, and multiply by the number of tickets one needs to buy in order to get two million miles. Probably more than $200,000.

Edit: In fact, I just payed a visit to Virgin Atlantic's website, and checked the cost of a Los Angeles to London ticket, selecting the lowest "Economy" price for one Adult. At the price and flyer miles offered, assuming prices and miles offered would be similar in 2008, I would have to spend over $300,000 before I could get my $200,000 spaceflight. "Free" indeed.
yay for marketing.

but its pretty cool though. being a scifi fan i just love the idea of "living in the future" :D

colonize space!

Really, we need to either get serious with the space program and give it some real funding to get objectives accomplished, or we should scrap the whole thing and put the money into lifting the American poor out of poverty or something else on Earth that needs dealing with. Going half-assed is pointless and stupid.

yay for marketing.

Being a devoted advocate of the capitalist free market, I know that when another capitalist uses the word "free" he's lying through his teeth. :D

Being a devoted advocate of the capitalist free market, I know that when another capitalist uses the word "free" he's lying through his teeth. :D

>.>
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:p

I'd pass on that first flight even if I had that many miles; I'm NOT going up into Near-Earth Space in the same vehicle as William Shatner, who will be on that flight.

Especially if they end up naming her the 'Enterprise'.

First rule of economics: There's no free lunch.

<bad joke> Or "launch", in this case.:D </bad joke>

It'll be a while before commercial flights to space, methinks. And as soon as it becomes a reality, there's gonna be all sorts of federal and international laws created to deal with it.

I'd say it'll be, mmm... 2045, 2050 before we see regular commercial space travel.

I'd pass on that first flight even if I had that many miles; I'm NOT going up into Near-Earth Space in the same vehicle as William Shatner, who will be on that flight.

Especially if they end up naming her the 'Enterprise'.You should be Ok as long as you don't wear a red shirt... ;)

You should be Ok as long as you don't wear a red shirt... ;)

Damn straight. Good point. Where's my Admiral's Stars?

Being a devoted advocate of the capitalist free market, I know that when another capitalist uses the word "free" he's lying through his teeth.

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:p

:eek:

"Free as in Freedom/Market" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_as_in_freedom) = Great!
"Free as in Beer" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_as_in_beer) = Lying through teeth!

:D

(Edit: Then again, to be completely honest, the number of those in the capitalist establishment who understand the "free as in freedom" aspect is depressingly thin. There are a lot of liars in that respect too, unfortunately. :( :mad: :headbang: )

Being a devoted advocate of the capitalist free market, I know that when another capitalist uses the word "free" he's lying through his teeth. :D

Some free advice. Nothing is free.

That will be $200 please. :p