Two billionaires with vast resources are investing heavily in space exploration, believing humanity’s survival depends on life beyond Earth. Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos envisions moving polluting industries to space to preserve the planet. In contrast, Elon Musk sees inhabiting space as a way for humans to live on if a cataclysm strikes Earth.
Bezos believes human civilization needs more energy to advance but acknowledges Earth’s resources are finite and must support life beyond humans. He wants to build enormous space stations (O’Neill cylinders) near Earth’s orbit to travel back and forth. Musk, however, is planning for life on Mars, including specialized spacesuits and domed habitats.
Musk argues that a mass extinction event is inevitable, making it necessary for humanity to become a spacefaring civilization or die. He envisions transforming Mars into a habitable planet but acknowledges developing a Martian civilization could take centuries.
Experts question the feasibility of these plans, pointing out that preserving human life on Earth might be simpler than developing one on Mars. The obstacles to Bezos’ vision of massive space stations are daunting, and both billionaires stand to make enormous profits from their ventures even if their space civilization dreams don’t materialize.
The U.S. is working with other countries in the Middle East to prevent chemical weapons from falling into terrorist hands. President-elect Trump has reaffirmed his intention to pardon January 6 defendants and implement deportation plans. The country is also searching for missing journalist Austin Tice, who has been held captive in Syria for 12 years.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/08/musk-bezos-space-travel-survival-humanity