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So, lets talk about #TeamSpace
I've wanted to talk about this for a while, but I've been seeing the space twitter "war" get worse to the point were I think I should say something.
I've wanted to talk about this for a while, but I've been seeing the space twitter "war" get worse to the point were I think I should say something.
#TeamSpace:
"Celebrating the exploration of space" - @Cole_Van_Wyk
TeamSpace began as a hashtag to support various space exploration programs, launch providers, missions etc not neccessarily with mutual enthusiasm, but with a common understanding that they are all awesome
"Celebrating the exploration of space" - @Cole_Van_Wyk
TeamSpace began as a hashtag to support various space exploration programs, launch providers, missions etc not neccessarily with mutual enthusiasm, but with a common understanding that they are all awesome
The hashtag existed before 2020, but gained traction early in the year and became "mainstream" in July 2020 after repeated uses by @Erdayastronaut
(This one came specifically after the 13th Rocket Lab launch failed on ascent) https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1279546017554354181?s=20
(This one came specifically after the 13th Rocket Lab launch failed on ascent) https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1279546017554354181?s=20
After this, it became a mainstay in the space twitter general discourse, promoting a common support for spaceflight.
But after a while, it became evident that it was being corrupted.
But after a while, it became evident that it was being corrupted.
We all know the war between SLS and Starship/SpaceX fans.
Its been going on since Starship was announced. And the fanboism around SpaceX has been very prominent for years now.
In came #TeamSpace
Its been going on since Starship was announced. And the fanboism around SpaceX has been very prominent for years now.
In came #TeamSpace
I joined #TeamSpace later in the year 2020, admittedly as I become more of a SLS fan. And as I did, I found that more and more of #TeamSpace was SLS fans.
It came to a point that whenever the "SLS" chains began, it became synonimous with TeamSpace (or TeamSpace supporters)
It came to a point that whenever the "SLS" chains began, it became synonimous with TeamSpace (or TeamSpace supporters)
I've been writing this too long so here's my point:
#TeamSpace have become manipulated to the point where it is more of a bastion for (outspoken) SLS fans and SpaceX "haters" than it is for a general appreciation for spaceflight.
#TeamSpace have become manipulated to the point where it is more of a bastion for (outspoken) SLS fans and SpaceX "haters" than it is for a general appreciation for spaceflight.
#TeamSpace has strayed from its values severly and it is now become a tool in the "partisan" war on space twitter between SpaceX/Starship fans and SLS/Legacy Aerospace fans.
We should not let space twitter become something that could be more accurately descriped as "SpacePol"
We should not let space twitter become something that could be more accurately descriped as "SpacePol"
This divide between the both sides is getting extreme, and I worry that it will split Space Twitter like politics has split our country. (Its probably not that extreme, but I worry)
We must do our part to lessen this divide and just generally enjoy spaceflight
We must do our part to lessen this divide and just generally enjoy spaceflight
I shouldn't have to have been pushed to write basically an essay on "The politics of Space Twitter" like this
If you are #TeamSpace , be TeamSpace: Support them all, you can have criticisms but they can't be one sided.
If you are a fanboy, be a fanboy. Don't push it on others.
If you are #TeamSpace , be TeamSpace: Support them all, you can have criticisms but they can't be one sided.
If you are a fanboy, be a fanboy. Don't push it on others.
Lets fix this, people.
Ad Astra
Ad Astra
