1 theory as to why Elon Musk hasn't gone to space yet


Elon Musk is the only person who can actually reveal why Elon Musk hasn't followed in the footsteps of his fellow billionaires Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos and taken a quick trip to space. But The Atlantic's Marina Koren posited one theory — and it's a pretty simple one.
Koren spoke with Garrett Reisman, an engineering professor at the University of Southern California and retired NASA astronaut who also serves as a senior adviser to Musk's SpaceX. At one point, while Reisman was working on the company's plan to transport NASA astronauts, he said met with Musk to discuss crewed space flights, and suggested that they should run a test flight with a NASA astronaut and an astronaut employed by SpaceX. Having a "company astronaut" could energize the workforce, Reisman thought, but Musk reportedly simply looked at him and said: "Why would anyone want to go to low-Earth orbit."
Reisman's takeaway is speculation, but he believes that Musk just isn't all that impressed by the trips taken by Bezos and Branson, which were short and only reached a point that has been visited relatively frequently throughout the history of human spaceflight. Perhaps that's not entirely surprising, given that Musk has always had his eye on Mars. Read more at The Atlantic.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.
-
The UK's best fishing spots
The Week Recommends Beautiful British rivers and lakes for anglers of all levels
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
The sneaky rise of whooping cough
Under the Radar The measles outbreak isn't the only one to worry about
By Theara Coleman, The Week US
-
7 nightlife destinations that are positively electric
The Week Recommends Accra, Seoul, Berlin: These are a few of the cities that come alive after dark
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Markets notch worst quarter in years as new tariffs loom
Speed Read The S&P 500 is on track for its worst month since 2022 as investors brace for Trump's tariffs
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Elon Musk: has he made Tesla toxic?
Talking Point Musk's political antics have given him the 'reverse Midas touch' when it comes to his EV empire
By The Week UK
-
What does Musk's 'Dexit' from Delaware mean for the future of US business?
Talking Points A 'billionaires' bill' could limit shareholder lawsuits
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Tesla Cybertrucks recalled over dislodging panels
Speed Read Almost every Cybertruck in the US has been recalled over a stainless steel panel that could fall off
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Crafting emporium Joann is going out of business
Speed Read The 82-year-old fabric and crafts store will be closing all 800 of its stores
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump's China tariffs start after Canada, Mexico pauses
Speed Read The president paused his tariffs on America's closest neighbors after speaking to their leaders, but his import tax on Chinese goods has taken effect
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Chinese AI chatbot's rise slams US tech stocks
Speed Read The sudden popularity of a new AI chatbot from Chinese startup DeepSeek has sent U.S. tech stocks tumbling
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Penny-pinching: Elon Musk looks at the cent to cut costs
In the Spotlight Musk's DOGE claims that millions can be saved if production on pennies is slashed
By Justin Klawans, The Week US