Enter Sir Brian the Astrophysicist

[Nick]

There probably are, but heros don't brag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl6j7I8FWT4

And not many people have access to vehicles capable of reaching those heights, or have the space suit. So I don't understand the point Ducky is trying to make. 

[Borchester]

How come there aren't many people queuing up to attempt to beat Felix Baumgartner's record sky-dive, then?

There probably are, but heros don't brag

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl6j7I8FWT4

[HDQQ]

It does not matter if a million brave men and women died in space disasters, there would always be tens of millions more ready to follow them.

How come there aren't many people queuing up to attempt to beat Felix Baumgartner's record sky-dive, then?

[HDQQ]

NASA has had massive catastrophic events, one that killed 7 people. These things happen.

I know that, but the Starship's track record is in a different ball-park. Launches no.1 and no.2 both resulted in explosions. So if launch no.3 goes perfectly, with the Starship completing its space-hop and the booster rocket returning to the launch-pad in one piece, what does that say for launches no.4 and no.5?  Only that there's a chance they might not end in disaster. 

[Borchester]

Your right Borky .Though when  I did my astronaut training at the KSC many years ago they did say although there had been about 160 deaths related to the space programme they were yet to actually lose anyone 'in space' .

Well, I did not say that I actually intend to be one of them there astronaut, but when it comes to standing on the side lines and waving my penny union jack, I will be there

[Streetwalker]

It does not matter if a million brave men and women died in space disasters, there would always be tens of millions more ready to follow them.

Your right Borky .Though when  I did my astronaut training at the KSC many years ago they did say although there had been about 160 deaths related to the space programme they were yet to actually lose anyone 'in space' . 

[Borchester]

It does not matter if a million brave men and women died in space disasters, there would always be tens of millions more ready to follow them.

[Streetwalker]

NASA has had massive catastrophic events, one that killed 7 people. These things happen.

Two

Challenger 1986 and Columbia 2003.

NASA were aware of the issues that led to the failure of both missions .These things happened  because NASA didn't follow its own rules on worst case scenario's.

[patman post]

NASA has had massive catastrophic events, one that killed 7 people. These things happen.

I've heard it said that NASA tested to destruction on the ground, and Space X prefers to test in operation.

Could be an excuse. But the launched bit did carry on and self destruct when it's flight couldn't be controlled. Space X is said to be pleased with the data it's gathering from its tests.

From a PR point of view, though, testing to destruction in flight instead of on the ground doesn't give a good image to outsiders...

[Nick]

I think I can answer that. The world's richest man builds world's biggest rockets, to launch the world's biggest spacecraft, designed to carry up to 100 people. The first two (unmanned) tests end with catastrophic explosions, but are claimed to be valuable learning experiences.

The first manned space flight was over 60 years ago, only 4 years after Sputnik. The first moon landing was only 8 years after the first manned space flight. Although there were some disasters in the US and USSR space programmes, there were surprisingly few.

I would suggest that Spacex has a huge, huge mountain to climb to get from where they are now to making a spacecraft that anyone is willing to travel in.

NASA has had massive catastrophic events, one that killed 7 people. These things happen. 

[HDQQ]

 . . . And now it seems a reckless King seeking popularity has granted him a knighthood in recognition of his postulations.

Whatever Next

I think I can answer that. The world's richest man builds world's biggest rockets, to launch the world's biggest spacecraft, designed to carry up to 100 people. The first two (unmanned) tests end with catastrophic explosions, but are claimed to be valuable learning experiences. 

The first manned space flight was over 60 years ago, only 4 years after Sputnik. The first moon landing was only 8 years after the first manned space flight. Although there were some disasters in the US and USSR space programmes, there were surprisingly few. 

I would suggest that Spacex has a huge, huge mountain to climb to get from where they are now to making a spacecraft that anyone is willing to travel in.

[HDQQ]

That isn't me, but the live feed from St. Peters Square can be interesting. (Sometimes.)

Specially when that huge bell starts ringing.

[papasmurf]

Probably needs a thread of its own for the Pope worshippers.

That isn't me, but the live feed from St. Peters Square can be interesting. (Sometimes.)

[Barry]

Probably needs a thread of its own for the Pope worshippers.

[johnofgwent]

Oddly nothing happening on the Vatican live feed on satellite of St.Peter's Square.  (Usually something on at Midday Italian time 11.00 hours UK time.)

My source was the BBC. Maybe Vatican City need to collect a quorum of cardinals to go check he's dead first. After all, they are the organisation promoting the comeback kid. It wouldn't do to make an announcement and then have to declare the sort of miracle that might jeopardise the view they've demanded us mortals afford them for two millennia