Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Those astronauts must be slightly insane.

211 replies

thinktoomuchtoooften · 01/04/2026 22:09

I mean obviously they’re highly intelligent individuals and must know what they’re doing… but the risks are so huge and they have families. To me it’s just madness.

OP posts:
MonstrousRegimentRocks · 02/04/2026 00:22

I'd love to go, what an amazing adventure. I'm fascinated by space.

5foot5 · 02/04/2026 00:21

DramaAlpaca · 01/04/2026 23:09

@thunderful I'm also old enough to remember Challenger, so this makes me a bit apprehensive. I hope it goes well and they all come home safely.

I am old enough to remember the Apollo missions. As a child I remember how we all used to gather round the TV to watch the take off and splash downs. The first man on the moon happened on my 7th birthday!

Very excited about this and we stayed up to watch the launch. Of course I would be too terrified to do anything like that but I applaud the courage of everyone involved

x2boys · 02/04/2026 00:09

thinktoomuchtoooften · 01/04/2026 22:09

I mean obviously they’re highly intelligent individuals and must know what they’re doing… but the risks are so huge and they have families. To me it’s just madness.

I mean if couldn't do it but all astronauts must be aware that things can go wrong
The more they try to explore space the greater the risk.

LamentableShoes · 02/04/2026 00:09

Dontlletmedownbruce · 01/04/2026 23:54

They are just glory hunters and the whole thing is a shameful waste of money.

You do realise that Moon Rovers isn't a football team in the premier league...

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 02/04/2026 00:02

LondonRidge · 02/04/2026 00:00

They’re amazing and could transform humanity. It was only a few hundred years ago that explorers set out to discover America … and look what we have now

A despotic orange maniac causing global havoc?

LondonRidge · 02/04/2026 00:00

They’re amazing and could transform humanity. It was only a few hundred years ago that explorers set out to discover America … and look what we have now

BMW6 · 01/04/2026 23:57

Don't be so daft OP.

Why climb mountains? Cross deserts? Explore caves?

For that matter - give birth? Drive?

XenoBitch · 01/04/2026 23:56

Batties · 01/04/2026 23:54

If I didn’t have children, I would go in a heartbeat if I was able to.

I would sign up to the one way mission to Mars if I could.

XenoBitch · 01/04/2026 23:55

Malinia · 01/04/2026 23:53

What's happy about it?

It is positive. A new space mission. A pursuit of knowledge.
What is bad about it?

Batties · 01/04/2026 23:54

If I didn’t have children, I would go in a heartbeat if I was able to.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 01/04/2026 23:54

They are just glory hunters and the whole thing is a shameful waste of money.

Malinia · 01/04/2026 23:53

XenoBitch · 01/04/2026 23:48

Ah, thanks. I had no idea.
This is happy sorts of news that we should be celebrating.. Not doom and gloom.

What's happy about it?

KimberleyClark · 01/04/2026 23:51

I’m old enough to remember Challenger and Columbia, but still happy about this launch.

FlamingoFloss · 01/04/2026 23:50

There is no way I would ever ever volunteer for this. If I was rich and had the money I als wouldn’t pay to travel to the edge of space either. It’s not like a theme park ride when you know it will be all over in a minute or two - there’s no getting off if you don’t like it! Utter madness to me but then we are all different and if it wasn’t for people like this the u I were would be a smaller place (Hahahha that doesn’t even make any sense but hopefully you get what I mean!)

Fangisnotacoward · 01/04/2026 23:50

They are a lot braver than I am, you wouldnt get me doing it! But the launch was very exciting.

Crazy that 90 ish % of that rocket is fuel and thrusters and they are just sat there on top in that little capsule

TheNorns · 01/04/2026 23:48

Well, the astronauts are carefully psychologically vetted, as well as selected for their physical fitness and expertise. They choose spectacularly unimaginative, ultra-focused people.

XenoBitch · 01/04/2026 23:48

Theunamedcat · 01/04/2026 23:45

The moon launch that's just happened

Ah, thanks. I had no idea.
This is happy sorts of news that we should be celebrating.. Not doom and gloom.

yummyscummymummy01 · 01/04/2026 23:47

They’re obviously incredibly brave! I really enjoyed watching them take off and so glad they’re safe so far.

Theunamedcat · 01/04/2026 23:45

XenoBitch · 01/04/2026 23:43

Context?

The moon launch that's just happened

XenoBitch · 01/04/2026 23:43

Context?

ExBert80 · 01/04/2026 23:41

The thought of space scares the shit out of me. But I would go, not that I would be of any use. Just for something exciting to do.

in China 100 driverless taxis stopped dead at the same time in a city due to a tech issue. Caused mayhem. Tech is not reliable.

DramaAlpaca · 01/04/2026 23:09

@thunderful I'm also old enough to remember Challenger, so this makes me a bit apprehensive. I hope it goes well and they all come home safely.

LittlePetitePsychopath · 01/04/2026 23:03

MimiGC · 01/04/2026 22:57

I heard on the radio this morning that one of the astronauts is a single dad and he has given his children his will and instructions about who will look after them if he doesn’t return. This was said quite admiringly. I think a single mother doing the same would be criticised.

That seems unfair, somehow. He’s 50 with teenage daughters. His wife died in 2020. His daughters aren’t interested in space but didn’t want him to stay. They made him moon cupcakes to convince him to go! He spent 165 days on the ISS previously, so they’re used to him being gone.

I don’t disagree that a woman would probably be treated differently but in this case, I don’t think he’s doing anything wrong to go. I don’t think a woman would be either.

thunderful · 01/04/2026 23:03

I agree. Am old enough to remember Challenger, I’m convinced this looks dodgy and you wouldn’t get me in that rocket!

LittlePetitePsychopath · 01/04/2026 22:59

My son would go in a heartbeat. I’d be so worried about him but also extremely proud and excited for him. It’s an amazing thing to be able to do!

Swipe left for the next trending thread