Pros:
– Alan Stern, as the principal investigator of NASA’s New Horizons mission, successfully led the mission to explore Pluto, which expanded our understanding of the outer solar system.
– His experience with NASA’s mission to Pluto showcases his expertise and knowledge in space exploration.
– If Alan Stern embarks on his own space journey, it would be a significant accomplishment for him personally and possibly contribute to further advancements in space exploration.
– Alan Stern might bring innovative ideas and perspectives to the realm of commercial space travel, which could potentially benefit the industry as a whole.
Cons:
– The transition from leading a NASA mission to embarking on a personal space journey may divert attention and resources from other important projects and goals in the field of space exploration.
– Alan Stern’s shift towards commercial space travel might detract from his involvement in publicly funded scientific research and discoveries.
– The success of Virgin Galactic’s routine operations does not necessarily guarantee a seamless and risk-free experience for Alan Stern’s own space journey.
– There may be ethical considerations regarding the prioritization of personal space journeys over broader scientific research or humanitarian efforts.
Virgin Galactic has overcome years of setbacks and is now establishing a comfortable routine.
