Talk:Richard Branson

Branson now a commercial astronaut?
MOS:OPENPARABIO: One, or possibly more, noteworthy positions, activities, or roles that the person held, avoiding subjective or contentious terms. ... However, try to not overload the first sentence by describing everything notable about the subject) Since when is Branson notable for making one trip into space? Where are the sources calling him a "commercial astronaut" in the first place? ProcrastinatingReader (talk) 20:12, 11 July 2021 (UTC)

Yes. The FAA awards commercial astronaut wings to people who meet these criteria:

"To be eligible for Astronaut Wings, nominees have to meet the following criteria and submit an application to the FAA: – Must be an FAA licensed launch; – Must meet the requirements for flight crew qualifications and training under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 460; and – Must demonstrate flight beyond 50 statute miles above the surface of the Earth as flight crew on an FAA licensed or permitted launch reentry vehicle."

The launch was licensed by the FAA, the crew were trained and they flew above 50 statute miles. They were awarded Commercial Astronaut Wings shortly after their landing. --Jrcraft Yt (talk) 20:22, 11 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Having an award by the FAA doesn't mean Wikipedia policies for opening paragraph inclusion are met. ProcrastinatingReader (talk) 20:25, 11 July 2021 (UTC)

One, or possibly more, noteworthy positions, activities, or roles that the person held, avoiding subjective or contentious terms.

This was heavily covered by media and has been in the works for 17 years. --Jrcraft Yt (talk) 20:29, 11 July 2021 (UTC)

Your question was "[Is] Branson now a commercial astronaut?" the answer to that is yes. --Jrcraft Yt (talk) 20:32, 11 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Please read WP:INDENT. The questions were in the OP -- Since when is Branson notable for making one trip into space? Where are the sources calling him a "commercial astronaut" in the first place? ProcrastinatingReader (talk) 09:33, 12 July 2021 (UTC)
 * Richard Branson is not an astronaut because he hasn't reached Earth orbit and did not orbit it at least once, or did not get further. But can be considered a commercial astronaut. Jirka.h23 (talk) 19:02, 12 July 2021 (UTC)

You don't have to orbit to become an astronaut. That's only your opinion. --Jrcraft Yt (talk) 02:16, 13 July 2021 (UTC)
 * The Association of Space Explorers (ASE) only accepts individuals who have completed at least one orbit of the Earth. Jirka.h23 (talk) 05:44, 13 July 2021 (UTC)

I would argue that he's not famous for that. Going to space, as cool as it is, is not what he's known for. Of course he/his group owns Virgin Galactic, but that's already included in his business activities. We should not give him all the titles/positions associated with his ventures. Litteul (talk) 13:02, 13 July 2021 (UTC)


 * I bet he won't even get a Romanian stamp, like Laika the orbital dog. Martinevans123 (talk) 13:18, 13 July 2021 (UTC)
 * How did we drag stamps into this?2A02:2F08:B10C:7800:DD33:67BE:C0D5:8178 (talk) 17:41, 16 July 2021 (UTC)

Leave out from MOS:OPENPARABIO is my recommendation. He may be a commercial astronaut now, but that's not what he is notable for, but rather how he chose to spend his earnings from his main roles. It can still be mentioned later in the article. Mikael Häggström (talk) 17:41, 16 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Comment: He flew in space once, and it's part of the venture he invested in, not his profession. Therefore it should not be mentioned in the first paragraph. Sgnpkd (talk) 16:34, 19 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Comment. Agree, should not be in first paragraph and certainly not in those terms. I'm not even sure that whole last paragraph is justified. Martinevans123 (talk) 18:12, 21 July 2021 (UTC)

Shouldn't this standard be consistent for anyone that flew in the Blue Origin flight? Currently both Bezos and Funk have commercial astronaut in their first sentences; based on the definition set forth by the FAA. Seems very inconsistent to not use it on Branson because that's not what he's famous for, when compared to Bezos.

The FAA has updated their policy for who qualifies as an astronaut. Branson and Bezos no longer qualify for astronaut wings under them. Hbk1966 (talk) 10:55, 23 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Is the use of the phrase "space tourist" in the first sentence still contentious? If not, why do we need the two sources there? In fact, why do we also need the additional four sources in the final paragraph of the lead? These should all be just in the article main body? Martinevans123 (talk) 11:41, 23 July 2021 (UTC) p.s. if he rode once on the The Big One in Blackpool would we describe him as "business magnate, investor, author, and roller coaster rider"?
 * Yes, it's not his occupation. ProcrastinatingReader (talk) 09:04, 25 July 2021 (UTC)
 * The lede is to make it clear what the subject is famous for and why they have a wiki article. He is in no way famous for being an astronaut, it does not belong there. Ashmoo (talk) 15:03, 13 January 2022 (UTC)

first billionaire in space?
"In July 2021, Branson became the first billionare in space after beating Jeff Bezos by a couple of weeks. " (Billionaire appears to be missing the 3rd i)

Charles Simonyi paid his way to the ISS twice, in 2007 & 2009. He is now worth $5 billion. Guy Laliberté paid his way the the ISS in 2009, after selling 90% of Cirque du Soleil for $1.5 billion (CAD?)


 * Yep. Charles Simonyi is worth 	US$5 billion. And Guy Laliberté was worth US$1.2 billion last June. Martinevans123 (talk) 22:57, 11 July 2021 (UTC)


 * Branson (and Bezos) is decades late to the party and hundreds of miles/km short of orbit of other billionaires, from the early 21st century -- 64.229.90.53 (talk) 02:36, 21 September 2021 (UTC)
 * No matter how you do the maths, these convoluted superlatives are not encyclopediac and do not belong here. Ashmoo (talk) 15:04, 13 January 2022 (UTC)

Legacy and Money: Lost In Space!
Despite the promise of an out-of-this-world trip, all that happened was 15 minutes in near space. So, instead of highlighting a list of public relations stuns, might not the article take a closer look at some of the Branson's attempts at a star trek? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 91.110.75.125 (talk) 20:24, 20 December 2023 (UTC)

“Former convict” in opening sentence
Is it WP:UNDUE to talk about a conviction in the early 70s in the opening sentence? Park3r (talk) 22:16, 2 February 2024 (UTC)


 * I tend to agree, as it was in 1971 and he spent only one night in jail. I guess it's been put there for dramatic effect. It really is not a defining characteristic, with or without any source (that really should not be needed in the first sentence). I suggest it's removed. Martinevans123 (talk) 22:30, 2 February 2024 (UTC)