Jeff Bezos et al went to near space

Was it anything more than a vanity project?

On Tuesday, we watched Blue Origin’s New Shepherd spacecraft shoot into the west Texas sky, and deliver Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, into history as the second billionaire to ever go weightless in space — or near-space.

The flight took just 10 minutes, and the crew included Bezos, his brother Mark, the 18-year old Oliver Daemen (whose parents paid $28 million for his seat on the flight), and 82-year old aviation pioneer Wally Funk, who pre-flight Tuesday, led the way up the seven flights of stairs to the rocket.

Years ago, Funk completed rigorous astronaut training, but was not allowed to fly because she’s a woman.

Afterward, before a press conference that was described as “giddy,” the crew was met on the ground by well-wishers and champagne, and Bezos could be overheard describing Tuesday as the “best day ever.”

It wasn’t on the level of “one small step” but it’s probably an honest reaction from a man who has spent $1 billion a year on this effort.

At issue is whether these space-bound billionaires’ efforts amount to anything other than vanity projects. Yes, the money could go toward other things, especially now. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, Bezos’ ex-wife certainly lives like she believes that.

Both rich men who have touched the sky have promised to spend their energies on reversing climate change. That sounds, given their flights into space…ironic? Is that the right word?