Battle of the Billionaires: Elon Musk vs. Richard Branson
Both are self-made men who are working hard to take the human race into space, among many other pursuits.
Elon Musk
Richard Branson
Companies
Tesla Motors, SpaceX,
and Solar City
and Solar City
Virgin Group, including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Mobile & Virgin Galactic
Net worth
$7.7 billion
$4.8 billion
First billion
PayPal
Virgin Records
Travel on Earth
Wants to invent the Hyperloop, a system of tubes that lets passengers travel close to the speed of sound, going from San Francisco to LA in 30 minutes.
Hopes to perfect a 'rocket plane' to transport people between cities on Earth via space. Someday, he expects the trip from New York to Sydney to take 30 minutes.
Super hero movie cameo
Ironman II
Superman Returns
How to get to space
Musk is working on the Falcon Heavy, which will be the world's most powerful rocket when it's ready later this year. It could transport people to Mars, the moon or even to an asteroid.
Virgin Galactic is developing a rocket plane that Branson hopes will usher in an era of space tourism. Passengers will get 6 minutes of weightlessness for $250,0000.
Quotes
"Failure is an option here. If things are not failing, you are not innovating enough."
"If you're inquisitive about life and about the world around you, then space is the ultimate adventure."
Unique charity
Donated $10 million to the Future of Life Institute, dedicated to keeping A.I. (like killer robots) in check.
Supports Swan Lifeline, a charity to rescue swans in and around Berkshire, England.
Terrifying vacation plans
Plans to take a cross-country car trip with his five kids, traveling a 3,600-mile route between Tesla's charging stations.
Became the first man to fly a balloon over Mount Everest 'completely by mistake,' as he attempted to make it around the world.
