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Comment by arriu | Hacker News Reader

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...

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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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