Prince William Slams Jeff Bezos & Other Billionaires In Space Race Following William Shatner's Rocket Ride
Not everyone is impressed with Jeff Bezos’ rocket ship.
Prince William recently spoke out to vocalize his concerns with the space race, candidly saying he doesn’t understand the hype. The 39-year-old royal told BBC that entrepreneurs should be putting their resources towards our own planet — not wandering around in space.
His critique of space tourism comes just one day after William Shatner was sent into orbit on Bezos’ rocket.
“We need some of the world’s greatest brains and minds fixed on trying to repair this planet, not trying to find the next place to go and live,” the Duke of Cambridge said on Thursday, October 14. “I think that ultimately is what sold it for me — that really is quite crucial to be focusing on this [planet] rather than giving up and heading out into space to try and think of solutions for the future."
The royal also admitted he had “absolutely no interest” in taking a trip into the beyond, pointing out that there is a “fundamental question” over the carbon footprint of each journey to space.
The prince went on to warn the public about the increasing “climate anxiety” among younger generations, saying: “it’s very unnerving and it’s very, you know, anxiety making.”
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“Remember how much it meant to be outdoors and what we’re robbing those future generations of,” he added.
On Wednesday, October 13, Shatner brought his Star Trek character to life when he was blasted into space on Bezos’ Blue Origin capsule.
Shatner previously revealed he was nervous to make the trip, confessing he was “thrilled and anxious" and "a little frightened about this whole new adventure.”
The 90-year-old actor — who made history as the oldest person to travel to space — and the rest of the crew aboard Bezos’ ship returned back to Earth after just over 10 minutes.
It was the second spaceflight for the Blue Origin, as Bezos himself went for a ride back in July alongside his brother, Mark, astronaut Wally Funk, and 18-year-old Oliver Daemen — who is now the youngest person to travel to space.
Meanwhile, Sir Richard Branson and Elon Musk have also been dabbling in the space industry.
