The British astronaut’s ‘breathtaking’ footage of the Southern Lights from the International Space Station has captured the public imagination. But as a financial editor, I find myself asking: at what cost? The UK’s contribution to the ISS programme runs into billions, and while such imagery is undeniably stunning, one must question the return on investment.
Is this a prudent use of taxpayer funds, or a vanity project orbiting 400 kilometres above our fiscal reality? The market might not price in auroras, but it certainly prices inefficiency. Still, the footage serves as a reminder that the universe is indifferent to our budgetary constraints.
For now, we can marvel at the lights while keeping one eye on the bottom line.
