2021 was a multi-billion dollar year

We are in the middle of a modern space race. While the two most powerful empires in the world became the first on the moon, we now have billions of organizations led by barons – Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic – boasting a future full of exo- world tourism . In 2021, the leaders of these secret societies fulfilled many of their promises, successfully introducing the common people, astronomers and, twice, them to the Earth’s upper atmosphere.

SpaceX continues to lead the next generation of companies. In January, the company set up well “rideshare mission”Boarded the Falcon 9 rocket, carrying 133 microsatellites to orbit along with its 10 Starlink satellites. Work of SpaceX’s Starlink ISP, which now serves more than 10,000 customers, waika another 1,475 microsats in orbit above the earth (and 42,000 repaired, giving distribution worldwide by September), though fierce criticism of astronomers those who fear their presence will blind the ground telescopes.

SpaceX’s attempts to remove its Starship image did not work as well as Starlink, don’t think so. The 100-passenger spacecraft, designed to help fulfill the dream of CEO Elon Musk to rule Mars, has given itself a name. God the King of the Red Planet (or so on), exploded spectacularly on the launchpad following the high-profile flights in March.

A subsequent testing of the SN11 Starship prototype after that month I did not return to the slope. SN15, which started in May, managed to land on one piece. The company is currently developing plans establishing a Starship model in orbit, although no plan has been set yet – it was in its infancy is expected in July then pushed in November, subject to legal approval, and now launched in January.

But the failed test did nothing to delay SpaceX in its competition. In February, NASA awarded SpaceX the award $ 331.8 million contract to bring his Gateway station in the year 2024. And in April, NASA awarded the company a $ 2.9 billion contract. to carry his cane from the month of Artemis to the moon.

Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin responded to Artemis’ agreement by challenging “unjustly”A decision by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), which delay progress on the project until July when GAO denied the allegations, though Bezos gave NASA $ 2 billion to give them a contract instead.

“We stand firm in the belief that there were challenges that NASA chose, but GAO was unable to address them due to their limited control,” the company said in response to the GAO announcement.

I am still frustrated with GAO criticism, Bezos is the one who sued NASA in the Federal Claims court, particularly the trial “sue [its] the path to the moon, ”A Musk. Blue Origin said this was done “in an attempt to correct the flaws found in the NASA Human Landing System,” a Blue Origin spokesman told Engadget in August. “We strongly believe that the issues raised in these purchases and their consequences should be monitored to restore fairness, create competition, and ensure the moon returns to America.” Blue Origin eventually lost the case again.

And that’s when the prestigious competition between the two richest men in the world began to fight in middle schools and SpaceX blames Amazon about deliberately delaying the idea of ​​his Starlink work when Amazon disputed Musk and SpaceX’s claims “do not follow the rules. ”

“Whether it’s launching satellites with unlicensed horns, throwing stones without a permit, building an illegal tower, or reopening a factory in violation of a local law, SpaceX and other Musk-led companies make them illegal. See clearly: laws and third parties , and those who insist on or simply ask to be subjected to it deserve to be ridiculed and attacked by ad hominem, ” Amazon FCC subscriptions count.

This year, not only SpaceX became the first commercial company to transport astronauts to the ISS, also donated its first round flight to the general public and launch of Inspiration4 project in September. Several astronauts spent three days orbiting the Earth in the Dragon Capsule before returning safely. And although Musk did not leave the world on his company’s design rocket, he is said to have paid $ 10,000 for the ride. future Virgin Galactic aircraft.

One of the Bezos has his own belt that Musk does not have and that, in fact, flew in his spacecraft. Following the experimental land trips of Blue Origin’s New Shepard elevated both January and Epulo, Jeff Bezos and his brother – with 18-year-old Oliver Daemen (whose parents spent $ 28 million in honor) and 84-year-old Wally Funk – passed well on the Karman line on July 20. Blue Origin followed what happened in October when it introduced William Shatner, the legendary Star Trek, into space. Along the way, Shatner, 90, fired 84-year-old Funk as a a great man into space. A way to get rid of the last few details of the life of an elderly woman, Captain Kirk.

Looking ahead, Blue Origin is working on a capable ship a Nuclear thermal propulsion system (NTP) thanks to DARPA – I am competing with Lockheed Martin for a successful out-of-earth Earth orbit in 2025. The company also announced at the end of October that it is looking forward to it. building and deploying commercial facilities Orbital Reef – think, ISS but with a more complex marketing – by the second half of this decade. NASA has provided the task a Space Act Agreement, along with funding through the design phase, as part of its Commercial LEO Development program.

On the other hand, Virgin Galactic, launched in 2021 on the active road. SpaceShip II company trial at the end of last December – his first major trip from Spaceport America page in New Mexico – ended abruptly after the train’s engine failed to burn. Review exams scheduled for February it was too late until May the company decides to make additional “checks”.

While this is not a major hurdle similar to the exploding StarShip, VG’s delay has overturned the company’s mission to pilot the tourism industry. until 2022. However, it did not affect Virgin Galactic’s Disclosure of SpaceShip III in March.

In May, VG perseverance benefited when SpaceShip II he successfully completed his rocket pilot mission, throwing two pilots and a load full of NASA experiments into space. The following month, Virgin Galactic received FAA approval to start commercial operations, becoming the first such company to obtain a permit from aviation companies. With FAA blessings in his hands, Virgin Galactic decided to oust the CEO Sir Richard Branson in space – do not ignore the mockery of Blue Origin – next month. July 11, Branson and his staff did the same – well, technically.

Intrigued by the success of their employer’s aircraft, Virgin Galactic began offering tickets to aspiring pilots. low cost, low cost of $ 450,000. In early November, more than 100 tickets have been sold.

Branson’s departure was not a mistake, however, and this angered the FAA. When the SpaceShip II landed, the spacecraft “departed from Air Traffic Control permit on its way back to Spaceport America,” for FAA. In the following statement from the company, Virgin did not comply with the FAA format.

“When the vehicle was hit by strong winds that changed lanes, pilots and engineers patrolled the lane to ensure it remained in the mission area,” the company said. “Our pilots responded appropriately to the change of flight exactly as instructed and in accordance with established procedures. Although the final route of the flight deviated from our original plan, it was a well-run and deliberate route that allowed Unity 22 to land safely and land at our Spaceport. New Mexico. There was never a time when passengers and crews were put at risk because of a change in schedule. ” A brief overview of the FAA eventually fired the company to resume testing the aircraft.

Despite all these advances in digital media, do not expect the tourism industry to start in the next decade. Like the Virgin Galactic’s recent price increases from $ 250,000 to $ 450,000 per ticket with all the evidence, only a handful of people could afford such a journey in the near future. So even though the two richest people in the world may have the opportunity to escape the gravitational pull for a while, do not think that you will get your chance anytime soon – unless you can win like a Gold Ticket as Keisha S said.