Ned Potter is the science correspondent for ABC's "World News with Charles Gibson." He has reported on such topics as space exploration, the human genome and climate change.
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Bill Gates in Space?
April 12, 2007 5:57 PM
Not quite. Rumors fly, but there's no confirmation that Bill Gates will.
Today is Cosmonauts' Day in Russia, forty-six years since Yuri Gagarin became the first human being to fly in space. (HERE's what we published on the 40th annniversary.) Today, the six crew members on board the International Space Station marked the anniversary with dinner suggested by Martha Stewart, and brought along by Charles Simonyi, her longtime friend who is now flying as a "spaceflight participant."
Simonyi, you'll recall, is a former Microsoft software architect. He has a very polished web site HERE.
During a press conference from orbit, Simonyi's commander, cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin, passed along a comment that has spread around the world somewhat faster than the space station orbits it.
"Charles said that Bill Gates is also preparing to visit space," said Yurchikhin, at least according to the translation provided by Agence France-Presse.
"So the next time someone will be with Bill Gates. For me this is the biggest surprise of our flight."
It may also have been a surprise to Mr. Gates. We've called Microsoft and not heard back. Late this morning I got an email from a press person for Space Adventures, the firm that arranged Mr. Simonyi's flight and those of the space tourists who preceded him: "The world press is reporting that Bill Gates may be the next consumer space traveler. Let me know if you'd be interested to have Space Adventures' CEO Eric Anderson comment."
"Do you know what Eric Anderson would say? Is there anything actually in the works?" I asked.
A few hours later came this answer: "From Eric Anderson: 'We do not comment on those individuals who we are in contact with; however, Space Adventures will be announcing the identity of our next orbital spaceflight client in the coming weeks.'"
April 12, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (5)
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I only hope that, if Mr. Gates does decide to become a "spaceflight participant" (wonderful terminology!), the spacecraft he's flying on doesn't use any form of Windows in its operation. How would it appear to the world if the former "Chief Software Architect" of Microsoft was stuck in orbit due to the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death?"
Posted by: chuck | Apr 13, 2007 8:41:17 AM
Hmm... Bill Gates in space.... SOOOOOO many snarky comments/jokes you can make on that!! (But I'll leave that to the late night talk show hosts!)
Still... On a more "serious" note, I pose this thought-provoking question to the great minds here on this blog:
If Bill Gates took the flight, would that be a "good thing" or "bad thing" for space exploration/travel?
IMHO, it breaks down to these pluses and minuses for me.
PROS:
He could definitely inject much interest, knowledge, MONEY, and other resources into an INTERNATIONAL space program.
Think about it. Gates has billions of dollars (through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) and he's shown he's willing to invest a lot in "good causes" -- improving education, AIDS research, etc. -- even if "results" aren't what he expected (his education efforts haven't been great) or immediate (AIDS).
If he takes the trip and gets "bitten" by the "space bug," can you imagine the resources he could put into even in something as simple as "space camps" for kids to spark future astronauts, engineers, etc.?
CONS:
Of course, there's the possibility of death.... So, how would the world react to a very public (and "tragic?") death of someone like Bill Gates? Would it send the business world tumbling? Confusion (or jubilation?) in the Tech sector? (Seriously... Who would geeks focus their love/hate on if Gates was gone?)
And naturally, on that note... If Gates gets bitten by the space bug, he might want to "dominate" space as the next "market" for Windows and other Microsoft products. (Hmmm... What operating system *DO* they use space, Ned? Linux? Windows Vista? ::shudder::)
What do you others think?
Would Bill Gates in orbit be "good" or "bad" for space travel/exploration?
Posted by: redtech5 | Apr 13, 2007 10:03:18 AM
Redtech5, have you been looking over my shoulder while I type? You and chuck both have read my mind.
Gates in Space? Sounds like a title for a TV program.
Joking aside, if Gates wants to go to space, more power to him. Well, you know what I mean. And redtech5 is correct about how much good he could do for the space program. His buddy, Paul Allen, has already funded Burt Rutan's successful bid for the X-Prize, and look at the new startup space programs begun in the private sector. Maybe Gates will be better at that endeavor.
I'm taking delivery of an iMac on Monday.
Posted by: Andy | Apr 13, 2007 12:57:25 PM
Andy:
"Gates in Space..." Never thought of it as a TV show before... Hmmm... Maybe something to replace "Stargate SG-1" which ends in a mere 10 episodes?
"Coming this fall on Sci-Fi.... 'Star-Windows featuring Bill Gates'...."
::shudder::
And stop being paranoid. For the record, I'm NOT looking over anyone's shoulder... (And put down that donut... you don't need any more trans-fat in your diet.... ;-))
RedTech5, standing by....
Posted by: redtech5 | Apr 13, 2007 5:59:23 PM
redtech5:
I appreciate your concerns. I do wonder, however, about the propriety of usurping Mr. Potter's blog for even good-natured banter. My email address is genuine, if you care to use it.
BTW, this is coming to you by virtue of my new iMac. I just ordered it Thursday and it arrived on Friday evening. Is that fast, or what?
To heck with Bill Gates.
Posted by: Andy | Apr 15, 2007 11:44:17 AM
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