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Comment by FredFS456 | Hacker News Reader

Wright brothers were certainly not dirt poor, but they weren't barons either. They were only able to build their planes because of their experience building other mechanical things.

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Let me clarify, my point is neither about their wealth or expertise. I'm simply pointing out that this could be a similar point in time for future commercial travel; focusing on their wealth is beside the point. Or it could fizzle out...

IDK Virgin Galactic seemed to be virtually dead for a decade or so until there was a chance to one up Bezos I wouldn't be surprised to see these continue to barely operate after this big push.

So it is your belief that Virgin Galactic did nothing for a decade and then made a working spacecraft in the course of a few months but you don’t find this amazing?

They didn't, I know they weren't actually doing nothing that whole time but it's been almost 3 years since SpaceShipTwo's first 'space'flight and there was very little happening. SS2 first flew way back in 2010, it's all just moving very slowly until there's a chance for a PR opportunity and I'm not so convinced it won't immediately go back to doing 1-2 test flights a year for a while again after this.

I guess I don’t get your point.

Is it that Branson should be moving faster? Taking more risks? Even after a test pilot was killed?

Why should they go faster? Because SpaceX does? Why should everyone copy SpaceX?

Should they do more frequent PR and show incremental developments/achievements? How is that any less of a PR stunt than shooting the CEO into space?

Why are we impressed by SpaceX PR (they don’t have to invest so much in coverage) but not by anything else?

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