Branson vs. Bezos racing towards space - it’s no doubt an exciting spectacle. But little more than that. Despite being some of the richest billionaires on the planet, in outer space their money pales in comparison to that of states. If anyone is going to revolutionize space exploration, it won’t be rich individuals but countries, even small ones. And while billionaires can help with the aim of making space exploration more inclusive - not the sole privilege of China and the Unites States - it will be the addition of more countries that will ultimately lead to the democratization and preservation of space, argues Tony Milligan.

Space belongs to all of us. At least, that is the official position under international law. So, when Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos go toe-to-toe like 19^th century prizefighters, slugging it out to see who gets there first, the conflict seems a little stuck in the past. Magnificent men, if not such young men, in flying machines. It is tempting to hope that they may somehow knock each other out, like characters in an old-timey film, without anyone coming to actual harm.