by D K Mitchell

Created on: December 11, 2008

"Branson's Mothership Succeeds!"

A far more likely headline than, "Virgin Mother(ship) fails to take!"

It has been a long time coming. Ever since small children sat transfixed in front of the history making broadcast and saw, in varying shades of grey, those weightless bouncy steps leave their first imprint in the moondust, they have held to belief and desire for space adventures of their own.

That July in 1969 birthed a reality that hadn't existed even though Yuri Gagarin had already travelled in space for to watch the live broadcast gave the concept an authenticity that, at the time, was disputed by none.

Children all over the world began to play space ship games. Building their imaginary rocket ships out of the woodpile. Sitting in the confined spaces to 'practise' being in small places, and stocking their ships with sultanas and water, dehydrated ice-cream a distant thought. These same children are now the tail end of the baby boomers generation. On the whole they are cashed up or capable of liquidating assets to treat themselves to their childhood dream.

Richard Branson is the poster boy of this generation. Bad boy who still climbed the success ladder, did all those things his peers had wanted to do but weren't game and now titled in a gaining of respect few bad boys ever achieve. Put on his pedestal by the very things parents warned against, sex drugs and rock and roll! An innate business sense saw his fortunes spiral as he stepped into the literally high flyer realm of the airline magnate. Branching into communications was a natural step for what is an empire if it isn't self serving and self sufficient? Branson's empire tends to insulate its occupants from the restrictions of the other more accountable world.

The step into the realm of space adventure may not be instantly understood by the non-lateral thinkers but to those who understand the box it just another wall to climb over, the concept is not only feasible but a natural and logical progression.

Branson, who turned a rarely spoken word into a world wide label, it the ultimate rebel. Give him an inch to succeed and he will run a mile. Branson has the means and ability to make this venture more than a success. He has the willfulness to refuse failure. It won't be a matter of initial costs or mundane aspects. It will be a matter of whether it jacks up the pedestal to a height not before attained. When one has done everything on earth it is time to move off into the wider universe.

The success is almost inevitable with Branson at the helm and the desire of those once small children now middle aged to finally experience their long held dream of space travel. Yes the mother-ship will fly and perhaps even be the precursor to finally establishing those long talked about space cities on a planet far far away.

Learn more about this author, D K Mitchell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.