AviationOutlook Space tourism is an exciting concept that has been gaining traction in recent years. The idea of being able to travel to space for recreational purposes is something that many people have dreamed of for decades.
But just what exactly is space tourism, what are the different types of space tourism available, and how much does it cost?
What is space tourism?
Space tourism refers to traveling to space for leisure and entertainment. This means that anyone who participates in space tourism is not doing so for scientific research or to further any specific agenda. Instead, they are doing so simply for the experience and thrill of it.
Dennis Anthony Tito, an American engineer and entrepreneur made history in 2001 as the first space tourist to pay for his own journey to space. He spent nearly eight days on the International Space Station as part of the visiting mission ISS EP-1, launched by Soyuz TM-32 and landed by Soyuz TM-31.
On April 8, 2022, SpaceX sent three space tourists and former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría to the International Space Station (ISS) on the Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) for Axiom Space. The Crew Dragon spacecraft was used to launch this mission, which marked the first time multiple tourists were sent to the ISS.
Types of space tourism
When it comes to space tourism, there are a few different options to choose from. There’s orbital, suborbital, and lunar space tourism. Let’s break it down, shall we?
Orbital space tourism is like the ultimate vacation destination. Picture yourself floating around the International Space Station (ISS) or another low Earth orbit spot. Imagine the view!
On the other hand, suborbital space tourism is more like a quick day trip. You’re not going to be orbiting the Earth, but you will get to experience that feeling of weightlessness and see the curvature of the planet.
And last but not least, there’s lunar space tourism. This one is for real thrill seekers. Picture yourself walking on the moon, looking back at the Earth in the distance. Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
So, what’s it gonna be? The choice is yours!
Cost of space tourism
The cost of space tourism can vary depending on the type of trip and the company providing the service. Suborbital space tourism prices range from $250,000 to $500,000, with a reported cost of $55 million for trips to the Space Station with SpaceX.
Virgin Galactic’s space flights are planned for 2023. Its ticket for a space trip is estimated at $450,000, with an initial deposit of $150,000.
Will space tourism ever be affordable?
Billionaires are now able to experience the thrill of traveling to space, thanks to the engineering progress that has been made.
However, the question remains, will space tourism ever become a financially viable option for the average person?
While the potential for space tourism to be a mainstream pastime is there, it’s too early to tell if it will ever become a reality for those with a net worth below seven figures. Only time will tell if this once far-fetched idea will become accessible to all.
It is widely acknowledged among experts that it is currently not possible to predict with certainty when the general public will have access to affordable space flights. But, the consensus is that it is likely to be several years in the future, at the earliest.
Is space tourism a good idea?
You know what they say; the more time you spend with something, the better you know it. And when it comes to space, there are still so many things we don’t understand.
But imagine if we could spend more time up there? Imagine all the cool things we could discover and learn. The universe is so vast and mysterious, and we’ve only just scratched the surface.
By spending more time in space, we could finally get some answers to all the questions that have been keeping us up at night. And who knows, we might even discover something that completely changes our understanding of the universe.
There are certainly benefits to commercial space tourism. It has the potential to boost the economy by creating jobs and encouraging investment.
However, there are also concerns about the environmental impact of space travel and the potential dangers.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, space tourism is an exciting concept that has the potential to bring many benefits to society. However, there are still many challenges that must be overcome before it becomes a reality for the average person.
The cost of space travel is still prohibitively expensive, and there are concerns about the environmental impact and potential dangers of space travel. Only time will tell if space tourism will ever become a reality for the masses.
