Billionaires in space are a bust

Re Egos, yes, but benefits too, Editorial, July 24 The Star’s editorial is more than a bit puzzling. After acknowledging the many serious concerns about billionaire joy rides into zero gravity, the editorial goes on to characterize them as “playfully redeeming.”

I beg to differ.

These costly adventures do nothing to advance our knowledge of astronomy, cosmology or even the science and technology of space travel. They serve only to provide thrills, ego boosts and potential financial windfalls of “space tourism” for the super-wealthy.

As we face the mass extinction of species, including humans, time is quickly running out for us to get our priorities straight.

Raphael Vigod, Toronto