So are Bezos and Branson Astronauts?

[john70t]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Nope, no reentry, sub orbital, doesn't count in my book.

Look at his wall eyes.

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/suborbital
sub·or·bit·al (sŭb-ôr′bĭ-tl)
adj.
1. Having or following a trajectory of less than one orbit.

[TCracingCA]

Originally Posted by Sarc

Buzz is still with us by the way...

Oh ****, sorry Buzz!!!!! My bad for not checking.

[dw1]

The term "Astronaut" (and "Cosmonaut") implies a level of education, training, and dedication to research and testing - in short being either a test pilot, a scientist, or both.

IMHO, neither billionaire qualifies, although Bezos can perhaps make a slightly better case, because he technically went over the recognized altitude line (60km) that defines being in space.

I also think that it is absurd for these billionaires to be repeating what NASA did in the late 1950s & early 1960s. Branson flew an aircraft-launched rocket plane slower & lower than any number of X-15 flights and Bezos flew lower than Alan Shepard's first flight.

[A930Rocket]

Originally Posted by dad911

Did Bezos buy the re-entry design from Musk?

[dad911]

LMFAO:

[RNajarian]

NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! BRANSON, BEZOS OR THAT 18 YEAR OLD KID ARE NOT BY ANY MEANS ASTRONAUTS!

They are tourists.

To call them astronauts is an insult to those who actually risked their lives to advance the exploration of space. HOWEVER , I would consider Ms. Wally Funk an astronaut. She has paid her dues and deserves the recognition.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by RNajarian

....HOWEVER , I would consider Ms. Wally Funk an astronaut. She has paid her dues and deserves the recognition.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Funk

Agree 100%. Quite an accomplished woman, I'm surprised I never heard of her before.

[TCracingCA]

She actually has had quite the career. Really interesting woman!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by dad911

"weightless environment of space"

that's the saddest thing I've read in a while.

Does that mean that if I was in an elevator and all systems failed, that I'd be in the weightless environment of space until I hit the ground?

Folks in the ISS float around, but they are in no way weightless, they are in constant free fall (they just keep missing the earth), but if they were to stop, they'd weigh almost what they weigh on earth, and they orbit at ~250 miles up.

62 miles up make you an astronaut. No. It's freakin' cool, and Id love to take that ride, but he's not remotely an astronaut.

[island911]

While I typically don't care for his politics, Bezos was classy to do this on the anniversary of the moon landing. Branson moved his up just to do it before.

Both are building some big cool toys. I'm not seeing a downside to that.

[pmax]

No way no how they have the right stchuff.

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by TCracingCA

I heard the Press putting them into that hallowed Category. Buzz is probably rolling over in his grave.

Call me when they pass through the Van Allen belt.

_

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by dad911

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Funk

Agree 100%. Quite an accomplished woman, I'm surprised I never heard of her before.

In 2012, she put money down to be one of the first people to fly into space via Virgin Galactic. The money for the flight came from Funk's own book and film royalties and family money.[1]

You think she'll get a refund from Virgin Galactic?

[dlockhart]

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by dad911

If one can self declare gender and race, why not profession?

Exactly

[svandamme]

well, NASA has always called 100km the rule
Even some X15 pilots did that, and got the badge..

The first pioneers that passed it, were considered heroes of their day.. And so I think we have to keep it simple, and just follow the NASA rule

Bezos, by NASA's rule is now an Astronaut
Branson , despite his claim, isn't. he didn't pass 100 km

[Geronimo '74]

Nope, they’re liftboys, not astronauts.

[svandamme]

Originally Posted by TCracingCA

Buzz is probably rolling over in his grave.

Btw, The Buzz is alive and kicking
He follows space exploration a great deal, is big on "get to Mars"

He has been following Blue Origin and gave the first annual Buzz Aldrin Space Innovation Award to @JeffBezos and @BlueOrigin‬ some time ago..

So maybe watch out before you claim somebody rolls over in his grave over something you disagree with.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by masraum

"weightless environment of space"

Imagine the relief her back is experiencing in this free fall.

[svandamme]

yeah, but she takes hard opposite G on the other end of the parabole
How strong are those spaghetti straps???

I'm sure the photographer was ready