Early yesterday morning, New Glenn achieved lift-off.

It is the first rocket launched by Blue Origin, the commercial space exploration company run by Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos.

The launch was a victory for Bezos. He has long dreamt of space travel. In 2022 he made headlines after sending Star Trek actor William Shatner into orbit.

But in recent years he has fallen behind fellow tech billionaire Elon Musk. Musk's SpaceX launched 134 rockets last year.

NasaThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the US space programme. last sent people to the moon in 1972. But Blue Origin and SpaceX have helped revive interest in space travel.

The advances funded by both companies could lead to the time when popping to space is no harder, more expensive or more dangerous than hopping on a commuter train to London from Guildford.

Both billionaires think people should live in space, Bezos in space stations, Musk in Martian cities.

They join others who believe that humans need to leave Earth in order for humankind to survive. Theoretical physicist Stephen HawkingOne of the most revered modern physicists, he is best known for his book A Brief History of Time. said: "It's time to get the hell off planet Earth."¹ 

The cosmosThe universe, especially when it is understood as an ordered system. could provide new places for people to live. We could perhaps find much-needed resources there instead of further exploiting Earth. Bezos wants to put "damaging industries" into space to protect our home planet.

There are many sceptics, however. Even for the world's richest men, travelling to space and creating liveable environments there will be incredibly expensive.

No one has ever set foot on Mars. It is a highly hostile environment. It lacks the air we need to breathe. It is often freezing: the medianThe median is the middle point in a group of numbers: half of the numbers are smaller than the median and half are larger. surface temperature is -65C.² There are planet-wide dust storms. 

Our ability to live in space is also up for question. We are evolved for life on Earth. Cosmic rays are a cancer risk. 

Scientists do not know if people can have children in space. The dream of an interstellar life might remain science fiction.

Is this the answer to Earth's problems?

Yes: The Earth is rapidly running out of road. The only place left to turn is the cosmos. We can expel our waste, find new sources of food and power, and preserve Earth as a monument to our history.

No:  Bezos and Musk talk the talk. But rather than saving Earth for humanity, they might simply be escaping it for themselves. Their space colonies and chosen residents will thrive, while Earth burns out.

Or... Only time will tell. It is worrying, however, that Bezos and Musk are focused on leaving the Earth and starting anew, rather than saving the planet itself. Do they know something we do not?

Nasa - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the US space programme.

Stephen Hawking - One of the most revered modern physicists, he is best known for his book A Brief History of Time.

Cosmos - The universe, especially when it is understood as an ordered system.

Median - The median is the middle point in a group of numbers: half of the numbers are smaller than the median and half are larger.