We’ve all seen those shows before – dystopian films set hundreds of years in the future, showcasing the wealthiest of society living aboard a luxury spaceship while the rest of the population is left to rot on a dying Earth. For some, this may have appeared to be as far from reality as possible. But with a new industry emerging in space tourism, perhaps it’s actually closer than some of us thought.

On July 11, Virgin Galactic launched a successful test flight into space, marking the beginning of its adventures for a cost of at least $250,000 per ticket. No doubt the accomplishment itself was incredibly impressive, with the company’s billionaire founder Richard Branson among those aboard the craft. It definitely enters society into a new era above Earth’s atmosphere for more than just professional astronauts, but I can’t help but be reminded of all those dystopian ideas I mentioned earlier. A utopia up there, exclusive to those with the funds to access it, while crises like climate change, war, and more haunt our home planet and the majority of the population with no way out. 

Regardless, I am incredibly proud of the human race’s achievements in space, and I’m eager to see our modes of transport expand. I only hope that the rest of the world won’t be left behind.