Space tourism might seem like something out of science fiction, but it's rapidly becoming a reality. Companies such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin have begun offering suborbital flights while companies like Orbital Assembly are building space hotels - as demand increases for out-of-this-world travel experiences.
Travel agencies have already begun accepting reservations for everything from astronaut boot camp to zero-pressure balloon trips, but can these companies really deliver?
The Commercial Space Race
Though space travel may seem out of reach for most, many companies are developing ways to make it possible. The commercial space industry is in a race to develop cost-effective tourist routes to visit space stations such as the International Space Station or the Moon and possibly another planet.
Some firms are investing heavily in suborbital space travel, providing passengers with an exciting chance to experience weightlessness and see Earth from above. Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin both have developed systems for this experience: Virgin's spaceplane SpaceShipTwo is already flying test missions with paying passengers, while Blue Origin's capsule New Shepard is already flying test missions with paying customers.
Wealthy individuals have taken to space travel trips as an effective way of fulfilling items on their bucket lists, including Star Trek actor William Shatner and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman (he created an online payments processing company) among others. Though such trips are expensive, they represent an essential step toward making space travel accessible and affordable to the wider public.
Orbital Assembly Corporation, for example, is planning on building two hotels on orbit or the moon open to the public; Pioneer Station and Voyager Station from its project. Both stations feature cabins with windows that can be opened as well as gym facilities, restaurants, and bars that serve microgravity experiments as part of its services.
Companies such as this will likely become increasingly prevalent as space travel becomes easier, with 38% of luxury travelers showing interest in taking recreational trips into space. Furthermore, further innovations in technology and spacecraft design should reduce costs while expanding accessibility for the industry.
Though space travel remains out of reach financially, many are optimistic that its future is bright; analysts believe it could have as much of an effect on global economies as the internet did. This could include an upsurge in tourism from all over the globe as people seek to check off items on their bucket lists; potentially benefitting economies that currently lag behind this area.
Crowdfunding
Travel to outer space may sound like something from science fiction films, but it's actually available today thanks to the commercial space industry and companies like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Axiom Space, and Boeing. They have invested significantly in spacecraft and launch pads which have fueled economic development wherever these facilities are situated.
Private space companies are also making space tourism more cost-effective; trips to the Moon could soon become mainstream trends.
At present, most space tourists take suborbital rides in small passenger capsules operated by Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic or Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. Virgin Galactic utilizes its SpaceShipTwo vehicle to take passengers 50 miles above Earth for weightlessness experiences; Blue Origin plans on developing an aircraft carrier-drop capsule that will carry customers to space before retreating back down with parachutes back onto Earth.
But many enthusiasts wish to go further. The first astronauts to orbit Earth were cosmonauts, who spent extended periods in space. Unfortunately, all these professionals with years of training are professionals, while many dreamed of traveling into space until its price dropped below 20 million dollars; even then it remained out of reach for most.
For longer journeys, many companies are developing space hotels. Northrop Grumman, Nanoracks and Axiom Space among others are developing habitat technology that could enable such hotels. Vast also has plans to create rotating space stations that generate artificial gravity for greater comfort and livability.
These projects are still at an early stage, but if they succeed they could open space travel up to many more people than ever before. But for their plans to succeed, they will first need to overcome several major hurdles.
First and foremost, they will need to design and construct safe and comfortable spacecraft while developing training programs, medical screenings, and liability waivers to ensure all passengers can safely travel into outer space. Furthermore, there will need to be significant ethical considerations addressed such as equal access and the preservation of off-Earth environments; but if they can pull it off successfully then traveling into space could become as commonplace as booking a flight to Europe.
Innovative Businesses
As private space companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin have introduced groundbreaking innovations into the space industry, their interest in space tourism has surged. Both firms already allow tourists to fly suborbital vehicles; now, their focus has turned toward orbital space exploration with hopes of one day offering lunar or Mars trips as well.
After more than two decades since Dennis Tito became the first space tourist, commercial space tourism is only recently becoming an established reality. Thanks to reusable rocket technology which has dramatically reduced costs associated with space travel and made space travel much more feasible for regular citizens - leading dozens of companies offering out-of-this-world trips!
Experienced space tourists report being inspired to protect our planet more fully after visiting its outer edges, something called the Overview Effect (also known as Earth Impact Assessments). Space tourism should therefore be encouraged.
Orbital space tourism is still relatively new, but its popularity is sure to increase rapidly. In fact, it is currently the fastest-growing sector of the space industry as visitors can make the most of their experience without risking life and limb for a manned mission.
Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin recently started selling tickets for space tourism flights. Both companies have lengthy waiting lists with deposits starting at $200,000. Although these trips remain costly, some analysts question if enough paying customers will sign up to make them profitable.
Space tourism remains to be established as a successful business venture by private space companies, yet they have certainly taken the initiative in this emerging industry. If their vision for space tourism comes true, it could drastically change our travel habits in future years.
Challenges
Space tourism is an emerging industry that promises to revolutionize travel as we know it, yet this nascent sector presents its own set of unique challenges. One key one for space tourism companies is ensuring passenger safety - particularly as space exploration becomes more commercialized; companies must prioritize this issue, adhering to strict regulations to protect passengers. Testing must also continue regularly so spacecraft remain reliable.
Attracting enough consumers is another challenge of space travel, such as building hotels, launching platforms for vacations in space, and developing training programs for tourists. NASA has already invested $415 million into three private companies - Blue Origin, NanoRacks, and Orion Span - to develop space tourism infrastructure - these investments enable companies to build the first orbital hotels and launch tourist spacecraft.
Thirdly, achieving enough scientific research to make space travel worthwhile remains challenging. Companies offering suborbital space flights are now beginning to experiment with adding scientific missions during their trips - such as growing plants in microgravity. Unfortunately, this could increase debris orbiting Earth which could damage operational satellites or hinder future space missions.
Space tourism faces intense competition from traditional travel companies that provide access to an expansive selection of destinations at much more reasonable rates. To remain viable, space tourism must offer something distinct compared to its alternatives, such as experiencing breathtaking views from space that cannot be replicated through terrestrial destinations.
Space tourism evokes awe and amazement, yet in reality, remains only affordable to a select few. Current prices for trips into space range in the millions - making this experience truly exclusive and only affordable to those with deep pockets.
Space travel could revolutionize how we live our lives on Earth, yet it will take at least 10 years before tourists travel to either Mars or the moon as tourists. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs and governments work diligently together to make space exploration an accessible reality for everyday people.
Post a Comment