The Commercial Space Race: Who’s Flying Highest?

Abstract

What was once a dream of science-fiction is on the verge of becoming a reality: commercial space travel. Rocket companies led by three of the world’s richest men are competing to lead the market in private space travel—and to pick up lucrative government contracts along the way. The new ventures by Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson are not without controversy, however, as critics urge the space-bound billionaires to direct their enormous wealth toward more pressing issues here on Earth, such as developing green tech in the face of the oncoming climate crisis. Students are asked to discuss these companies and their objectives within the context of the criticism surrounding them.