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The destination isn't the point. Yes, some rich folks go to go to almost space, and that's awesome for them. But what's awesome for the rest of us is the rich folks are subsidizing research into spaceplanes, and some day stepping into a spaceplanebto go to the Lunar colony will be just like stepping onto a 747 to go to London is today.

Pretty much exactly what I came to say.

Also, as well as ponying up the cash, they will also be risking their skins. We need human guinea pigs, and the super-rich are volunteering.

"Up" does still bring a unique viewpoint.

Waiting for space-stations/moon-bases/whatever before working on cheaper ways to get people there leads to a massive chicken-and-egg problem. We do have a reasonable idea of how to build space stations, once the demand is there.

Sorry is anyone who offers the contrary opinion - no matter how politely- that space tourism is frivolous, going to be voted down just because its an unpopular view about here?