[VIDEOS] Jeff Bezos blasts off to become the latest space billionaire

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has become the latest billionaire to (briefly) play space tourist, just more than a week after Virgin's Richard Branson.
Blue Origin's New Shephard rocket blasted off on Tuesday with Bezos aboard, along with three other civilians.
They included both the world's oldest (82) and youngest (18) space travellers.
RELATED: UK's Branston Pickle brings space-exploring Branson back to earth with a bump
The space flight was planned to coincide with the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing,
Scenes from #NSFirstHumanFlight astronaut load. pic.twitter.com/L7u1ZaYn60
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) July 20, 2021
Beautiful launch from West Texas this morning. #NSFirstHumanFlight pic.twitter.com/JUpRA7PHvv
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) July 20, 2021
Can Bezos and Branson add the title of astronaut to their list of their billionaire achievements?
And where does space begin? Bruce Whitfield asks astronomer and author David Block.
Technically speaking, space would begin at the end of our tenuous atmosphere... at about 80 kms up. They went 107 kms up, so they did enter the domain of space.
Prof. David Block, Astronomer and author
But it's a loooong extrapolation to call them astronauts!
Prof. David Block, Astronomer and author
To my mind this is far more of a joyride (chuckles)... The cost is at around R4 million per minute!
Prof. David Block, Astronomer and author
Is there any scientific value to these sorts of expeditions?
Not yet, is Block's answer.
You're only up for ten minutes. I think the money of [SA-born]Mark Shuttleworth was far better invested in 2002 when he spent eight days aboard the International Space Station. That cost a cool R220 million... but there he did conduct scientific experiments for us in South Africa.
Prof. David Block, Astronomer and author
I salute these people for their entrepreneurship in that they want to move frontiers forward, but certainly one cannot compare what's happening today to the real thing in terms of going to the moon or inter-planetary travel...
Prof. David Block, Astronomer and author
I spent my entire life studying stars, galaxies, planets, but there's nothing quite like looking at this pale blue dot with its swirling clouds... just looking at the beauty of it from space... but ten minutes is probably a lot more palatable for the multitudes rather than spending four months on an international space station!
Prof. David Block, Astronomer and author
WATCH: Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, Wally Funk and Oliver Daemen receive their astronaut wings after today’s Blue Origin spaceflight. https://t.co/lEapSQ24zn pic.twitter.com/bAkLCBf7Dx
— CNBC (@CNBC) July 20, 2021
Listen to the fascinating conversation with Prof. Block on The Money Show:
More from Business

Standard insurance car hire perk is 30 days, but car repairs are taking longer

African Bank buying Grindrod Bank for R1.5bn, with eye on business banking
The Money Show interviews Zweli Manyathi, Group Executive for Business Banking at African Bank.
Read More
Increased beer sales (cans) in SA help boost Nampak half-year profits
Ray White talks to CEO Erik Smuts about Nampak's results for the six months ended 31 March 2022.
Read More
'We CAN fix Eskom. There are people who can do it and they're all South African'

I’d rather not comment on SA; haven’t been there lately – Richard Quest, CNN

Here's how the DA can tackle high fuel costs
Mandy Wiener spoke to the Democratic Alliance on its proposals to slash the fuel price.
Read More
Gas is the transition that allows us to get to things such as hydrogen - Dames
More from World

Gas is the transition that allows us to get to things such as hydrogen - Dames

SA is still a good prospect for emerging market investors, says JSE's CEO
Bruce Whitfield catches up with Dr Leila Fourie, unpacking her key takeaways at WEF so far.
Read More
Proof that China imprisons Muslim Uyghurs en masse, forces them into labour
Refilwe Moloto interviews international correspondent Adam Gilchrist.
Read More
WEF takeaways: Should world have been more proactive with Russia's 1st threats?

Intel aims to expand microchip manufacturing following global microchip shortage
Bruce Whitfield meets with Intel's Keyvan Esfarjani to discuss the big future of microchips
Read MoreMore from Lifestyle

Standard insurance car hire perk is 30 days, but car repairs are taking longer

Mandy's book of the week: Now You Know How Mapetla Died
Mandy Wiener spoke to author Zikhona Valela about her book and why she chose this story to share.
Read More
Power surge protection: 'Mention you’re a CapeTalk listener, get a discount'
Refilwe Moloto interviews electrical contractor Errol Thompson about Power Surge Protection.
Read More
How UCook finds ways to keep meal kits affordable as meat and pasta prices soar

'More companies will adopt paid menstrual leave before their countries do'

[EXPLAINED] History of Pfizer’s Viagra - keeping men pumped since 1998
Lester Kiewit interviews Dr Anthony Smith, a General Practitioner.
Read More