Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has sparked a major reaction from commentators, politicians and activists across the world, following his journey to the edge of space yesterday, on board his rocket ship, New Shepard.

He was joined on the short flight by his brother Mark Bezos, 82-year-old aviator Wally Funk, and an 18-year-old student. Shortly after returning to Earth, Jeff Bezos stated: "I want to thank every Amazon employee, and every Amazon customer, because you guys paid for all this... Thank you from the bottom of my heart very much."

Many have criticised the cost of the ongoing "billionaire space race" – with Bezos, the world's richest man, reportedly investing about $1 billion a year in space exploration. Critics point out the money would be better used addressing the more pressing issues on Earth, including climate change. Billionaire Richard Branson also reached the edge of space on his Virgin Galactic rocket last week.

"This is why billionaires should be taxed out of existence," Irish housing expert and Assistant Professor at Maynooth University Rory Hearne wrote on Twitter, in response to the news. "This is just wrong wrong wrong on so many levels. We need to save the planet, solve a global pandemic, inequality & this billionaire exploiter Jeff Bezos can waste billions on ego vanity projects."

This is why billionaires should be taxed out of existence. This is just wrong wrong wrong on so many levels. We need to save the planet, solve a global pandemic, inequality & this billionaire exploiter Jeff Bezos can waste billions on ego vanity projects https://t.co/XoFu6uZU3A

— Rory Hearne (@RoryHearne) July 20, 2021

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stated that Amazon workers paid for the space voyage "with lower wages, union busting, a frenzied and inhumane workplace, and delivery drivers not having health insurance during a pandemic."

Yes, Amazon workers did pay for this - with lower wages, union busting, a frenzied and inhumane workplace, and delivery drivers not having health insurance during a pandemic.

And Amazon customers are paying for it with Amazon abusing their market power to hurt small business. https://t.co/7qMgpe8u0M

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 20, 2021

US Senator Elizabeth Warren noted that "Jeff Bezos forgot to thank all the hardworking Americans who actually paid taxes to keep this country running while he and Amazon paid nothing."

Jeff Bezos forgot to thank all the hardworking Americans who actually paid taxes to keep this country running while he and Amazon paid nothing. https://t.co/tjOeCWbUA8

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 20, 2021

She went on to argue that it is "time for Jeff Bezos to take care of business right here on Earth and pay his fair share in taxes."

It's time for Jeff Bezos to take care of business right here on Earth and pay his fair share in taxes.

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 20, 2021

See more reactions to Jeff Bezos' space flight below:

The net worth of @JeffBezos is about $200-billion. A stack of that many dollar bills would reach twice as high as his Blue Origins Rocket launch. pic.twitter.com/jbNbWDwEhR

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) July 19, 2021

This Jeff Bezos space flight is one giant leap for who gives a fuck

— Randy Rainbow (@RandyRainbow) July 20, 2021

Very true,workers you stopped joining a union, workers you brutally exploit, workers without who you are nothing. This also applies to the other billionaire losers wasting the wealth their workers create. https://t.co/vrrjnR66IB

— Brid Smith TD (@bridsmithTD) July 20, 2021

As the likes of Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson blast off into space at a time of climate change, here's @ProfSteveKeen on why serial polluters like these guys need manners put on them by a polluter tax - plus lots of other ideas 👇 https://t.co/D74DX0Ptnb

— David McWilliams (@davidmcw) July 20, 2021

“Jeff Bezos and Wally Funk go to space” sounds like a 1980s cartoon that was made just to sell action figures

— The Blindboy Podcast (@Rubberbandits) July 20, 2021

Well done @JeffBezos really well done. Can I do my farming show now?

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 20, 2021