How private exploration missions internalize the claimed external benefits

From Time Magazine:

Only two men have preceded him in the highly dangerous mission. U.S. Navy Lt. Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard made the dive in 1960, spending only 20 minutes at the bottom. Worse yet, they could hardly see anything after their rough landing kicked up sand from the sea floor.

But Cameron is planning a much longer stay. His 24-foot-long (7-meter-long) custom-built “vertical torpedo” is armed with enough oxygen and personal resources for a six-hour exploratory mission. The submarine is outfitted with so many lights and 3-D cameras that it’s been described as an underwater TV studio. And while Cameron might be alone at such unfathomable depths, he plans to share his experience with the masses by releasing a documentary. He’s also collecting rocks and soil samples to assist with scientific research. . . .