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Space news is not sparse when it comes billionaires trying to escape Earth's atmosphere this year.
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It's safe to say that the space race is only beginning with Elon Musks SpaceX successfully completing a first-ever all-civilian mission into space, Richard Branson launching himself into orbit via his Virgin Galactic rocket, and Jeff Bezos launching into orbit aboard his New Shepard Rocket.
One billionaire, however, has remained distant from the conversation and continues to focus his efforts on Earth-centric philanthropic endeavors.
Gates spoke via Zoom with James Corden to begin a Climate Night edition on The Late Late Show with James Corden. Corden was beaming, saying that we couldn't have asked for a better guest. Corden beamed. Also, a special thank you to Corden for not trying to escape Earth in a spaceship.
Related: Jeff Bezos sends Elon Musk a rare message in his first tweet since February 2020
Corden asked the audience and the pair to laugh before Corden asked: Why is this something billionaires are so obsessed with? What are your thoughts?
Gates stopped and smiled at Corden.
Tonight on our special #ClimateNight episode, Bill Gates shares a very good reason for why you havent seen him in a rocket ship pic.twitter.com/7C8cKarJl0 The Late Late Show with James Corden (@latelateshow) September 23, 2021
I don't know why I became obsessed with HIV/Malaria and getting rid of these diseases. I may have bore people at cocktail parties by talking about them, as the billionaire joked. Space? There is so much to do on Earth.
Corden called Gates' not-so-subtle dig one of the most classy burns he had ever heard, to a round audience applause.
Gates has been vocal and passionate about global public health over the years, especially when it comes vaccine equity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Gates stated last year that if we allow drugs and vaccines to go to the highest bidders instead of the people and places most in need, then we will have a more severe, unjustified, and even deadlier pandemic. These hard decisions regarding distribution must be made by leaders, and not just market-driven.
According to Forbes, Gates was the fourth-richest person on the planet as of Thursday afternoon with an estimated net worth $131.8 billion.
Related: SpaceX will carry an all-civil crew in space flight
