• merc@sh.itjust.works
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    1 month ago

    Astronaut is a job, and it’s one of the jobs that’s the most difficult to do, and has the lowest acceptance rate in the world. People who are actual astronauts dedicate a career to it. The pay they receive is relatively low for their talent. And, they typically have to do a lot of PR events. It’s a grind, but it’s rewarding to have one of the most unique jobs in the world.

    Putting on a bandage doesn’t make you a doctor. Unclogging a toilet doesn’t make you a plumber. And going into space, even into orbit, doesn’t make you an astronaut. If you actually get to orbit, I’ll give you ā€œspace touristā€. But, if you’re just barely getting above 100 km, you’re a ā€œhigh altitude touristā€, nothing more.

    And, as for ā€œmissionā€, a mission has a purpose, and just having fun for a few minutes while you’re in the upper atmosphere isn’t an actual mission.