To infinite riches. . . and beyond: Marion McKeone on the billionaire space race

Two of the world’s wealthiest men are battling for commercial domination of space with a grizzly old-timer determined to thwart them both. But apart from the ego boost, what’s in it for them – and us?

Space may be just another way for Bezos and Musk to boost their egos and their bank balances while opening up a new playground for the super rich.

On your marks. Get set. Launch. After multiple setbacks, the billionaire space race is well and truly under way. First out of the blocks – or so it seems – is Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder, Washington Post owner and the world’s richest person.

Last week, Bezos stole a march on his fellow billionaires Elon Musk and Richard Branson with his announcement that he will board his own rocket – Blue Origin’s New Shepard – and ...