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Science

Taking Off! - Leaving Earth for Worlds Beyond

August 9, 2022

A revolution in the history of space travel took off on 20 July 2021. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos flew in his rocket 106 kilometers into outer space.

https://p.dw.com/p/4F212
Landung Blue Origin New Shepard Booster
Image: Blue Origin/dpa/picture alliance

It may have only lasted around 10 minutes, but the trip was the precursor to commercial passenger flights into space.

USA, Texas | Jeff Bezoz steigt aus dem Space Shuttel aus
Image: Blue Origin/AP/picture alliance

The Bezos flight, as well as the one billionaire Richard Branson took just a few days earlier, herald a new era of space travel. This looks to be just the beginning of a rekindled space race. Observers suspect it could open up a lucrative market for space tourism.
 

USA Van Horn | Blue Origin Rakete Innenansicht | Jeff Bezos
Image: Blue Origin/ZUMA Press Wire/picture alliance


They’re also convinced that the next step will be inevitable: the establishment of human colonies in space. At some point, the day may come when the first person is born in space -- or perhaps when humans reach Mars. 
 

USA Elon Musk Ceo von Tesla
Image: John Raoux/AP/picture alliance



The film explores the fluctuations in space technology and the hype around commercial space flights - a topic that’s of great interest to Tesla founder Elon Musk, who founded the aerospace company SpaceX. Predicting the outcome of these developments is tricky. Musk has, in any case, announced plans to make humanity "multiplanetary”.

USA | Weltraumflug von Virgin Galactic Gründer Richard Branson
Image: Virgin Galactic/REUTERS

According to him, that involves colonizing Mars and enabling life on other planets. Branson and Bezos, on the other hand, are "more interested in how we can use space to help Earth.” 

Billionaires going on trips into space - is this really progress? Or is it all just about spending lots and lots money? These are questions we’re not yet able to answer.


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SAT 24.09.2022 – 11:03 UTC
SAT 24.09.2022 – 22:03 UTC
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