I broadly agree with what you say. But my cynical take on it is that as soon as the 2000 "leaders" or top 1% or however else you'd like to refer to them are launched into space, the next 2000 take their place. Humans are inherently greedy and always want more. Even if you don't consider yourself somebody who would succumb to the greed and power, there are at least another nearly 8 billion people who would.