Garry Golden

Looking down at the Earth – 2015

While delivering a keynote at the University of Wisconsin River Fall’s new University Center I asked a group of 200 students (and 20 staff) if they had ever seen a picture of the planet taken from space. All hands went up. Then I asked how many people could name three individuals who had been up into space since 1980. No hands - only silence and blank faces. Today’s ‘millennial’ generation knows nothing about the human experience beyond the Earth. There is no inspiration or sense of wonder there…

After several minutes there was one professional staff member who named (Senator) John Glenn, Sally Ride and Daniel Brandenstein (who is a UW River Falls graduate!)

Nearly fifty years after launching the first human into space- looking down at the Earth remains a vague concept for most humans on the planet. There are no high-definition moving images – no popular stories of what it is like to float in zero gravity or stare down at the planet. Floating above the Earth is boring and a non-event for most people on the planet.

By 2015 I suspect all that will have changed. Following in the vision of Sir Richard Branson, privately operated sub-orbital space travel seems to be within reach- and I suspect that when we get closer – it will be corporate media dollars associated with high profile celebrities and citizens that make the final push. The video cameras will be rolling- the dramatic scripts will be written and crafted in the editing room– and we will finally have an opportunity to hear about life beyond the boundaries of Earth. Though we are many years away from affordable civilian space travel – the potential for sharing in celebrity experiences could emerge as a major catalyst for social change.

And I suspect that the freshman college class of 2015 at UW River Falls– will know dozens of celebrities and high profile citizens who have experienced life beyond the planet. For this new generation – space will not only be about science. Who knows what cultural associations we’ll have with suborbital space travel – but if Richard Branson is involved – I don’t think we’ll have to worry about being bored. (Continue reading for details on Virgin Galatic)

Public space travel has long been the target of dreams for maverick entrepreneurs. Lately that list has become longer and more influential. But at the head of the pack is Sir Richard Branson…

Virgin Galactic continues to make very strategic business moves to reach its goal of launching hundreds of individuals into low earth orbit by the end of this decade. The company is now looking to expand future operations beyond the U.S. (California) into northern Europe (Swedish Lapland).

Virgin Galactic’s first step was in securing rights to the revolutionary space plane design of Burt Rutan. His SpaceShip One won the Ansari X-Prize winner and might be capable of launching the sub-orbital travel industry. (Read about Anousheh Ansari’s recent space station experiences at her blog) Virgin Galactic is planning to launch customers who can afford the $200,000 ticket beginning in 2008-09! (Over 150 people have provided deposits)

So why my excitement over Richard Branson?! Because humans who experience zero gravity and the visual sensation of seeing the Planet Earth from above- have been forever transformed! And the people of this planet – might benefit from transformation! Inspiration is a good catalyst for personal happiness and economic growth! And I think it is an unfortunate reality that some of today’s college students cannot name a single person who has flown in space.

Only time will tell if Sir Richard will succeed in his mission- but my guess is that he’ll surprise us with what is possible.

In less than a decade global media empires might be broadcasting high definition images and personal experiences from above the Earth. And I suspect that Richard Branson has more than a few publicity stunts up his sleeve. Images from aboard his planes will not be of scientific equipment – but personal experiences of overwhelming joy and freedom.

Who will be watching? All of us. But where will the money be made? Through media programs targeted at large consumer audiences. For the U.S. it might be engaging the aging Baby Boomers who are now doing yoga and Pilates. Their childhood dreams could use an update and sequel— as they enter their later stages in life they might be more engaged with the ‘human’ stories of space than in past ‘scientific’ pursuits.

Who knows which celebrities will chose to share this experience— Sergey & Brin, Oprah, Bono, and Angelina Jolie? What about Indian or Chinese superstars…?!

Richard Branson convincing Oprah Winfrey to travel up into space and share her transformative experience with millions of adoring fans– that is a recipe for social change. …. More later…

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Virgin Galactic’s recent announcement:

…The British company owned by tycoon Richard Branson already has scheduled its first tourist flights into space from the U.S. in 2008.

It now wants to investigate launching flights from Kiruna, in Swedish Lapland, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. “This provides us with Europe’s first obvious place for suborbital space flights,” said Susan Newsam, spokeswoman at Virgin Galactic. An added feature would be flying into aurora borealis, the luminous display of lights seen in the upper latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere.

“Flying into the aurora borealis has never been done before,” she said.

Under the deal, Virgin Galactic and Swedish company Spaceport will spend about two years investigating the conditions for suborbital space flights from Kiruna’s airport. If all goes to plan, the first launches will be made from Kiruna in 2011 or 2012, said Sven Grahn, project manager for Spaceport.