Economist Podcasts Billionaires boldly go: private space-treks
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Jan 17, 2025 
Join Oliver Morton, Planetary Affairs Editor at The Economist, as he dives into the explosive world of private space travel, discussing billionaires' ambitions and the groundbreaking launch by Blue Origin. Alongside Anne Rowe, Obituaries editor, they celebrate the life of Peter Fenwick, a neurologist who explored near-death experiences. Together, they weave through the competitive landscape of space tech and reflect on Fenwick's profound insights, blending science with the human experience.
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Spaceflight Success and Setback
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully reached orbit on its first attempt, a rare feat.
- SpaceX's Starship, while achieving a booster catch, experienced an upper stage failure, highlighting the iterative nature of spaceflight.
SpaceX's Launch Frequency Advantage
- Blue Origin, despite its successful launch, faces the challenge of competing with SpaceX's rapid launch cadence.
- SpaceX's high launch frequency gives them a significant advantage in the space race.
Blue Origin's Ambitions
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is designed to launch Amazon's Kuiper satellites and lunar landers.
- This positions them to compete with SpaceX in both satellite deployment and lunar exploration.
