The World’s Richest Men Are Brawling Over the Moon
The full moon looked stunning this week. The lunar phase coincided with the moon’s closest approach to Earth, making the object look bigger and brighter than usual. It glowed orangey-pink low in the sky—a trick of the atmosphere—and then blanched brilliant white as it rose into the darkness.
Meanwhile, down here, a couple of space billionaires are sparring over how to reach it.
In one corner is Jeff Bezos, the founder of the rocket company Blue Origin, and the richest person in the world. In the other is Elon Musk, the founder of the rocket company SpaceX, and the second-richest person in the world. Bezos and Musk have pitched their respective businesses, in 1972. But American officials have long for a triumphant return, longer stays, and even the construction of a permanent base. And in recent years, they have turned to the private sector for help.
