Space tourism, the idea of traveling into space for recreational, leisure or business purposes, has been a topic of discussion for many years. It was considered a far-fetched idea until recently when private companies began investing in space tourism. With SpaceX’s successful launch of Crew Dragon and Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo, it seems like the time has come for space tourism to become a reality.
What is Space Tourism?
Space tourism refers to the business of offering flights into space to individuals or groups who are not professional astronauts. The primary objective is to provide an experience of weightlessness and a view of Earth from space.
How Does it Work?
Space tourism companies offer different types of trips into space; suborbital flights and orbital flights. Suborbital flights take passengers up to the edge of space where they experience weightlessness and get a view of Earth from above. These flights usually last for a few minutes and cost less than orbital flights.
Orbital flights take passengers on a journey around the Earth, which usually lasts for several days. These trips are more expensive than suborbital flights because they require more training and preparation.
Who is Eligible for Space Tourism?
Space tourism is not open to everyone. Passengers have to undergo rigorous training before they can embark on their journey into space. They have to be physically fit and healthy because the body undergoes significant changes in zero gravity.
The minimum age requirement varies from company to company, but generally, passengers have to be at least 18 years old.
The Cost of Space Tourism
Space tourism is not cheap; it costs millions of dollars per person. The cost mainly depends on the type of trip, suborbital or orbital flight, and the duration of the trip.
Currently, only a handful of people have been able to afford space tourism such as Dennis Tito, Anousheh Ansari, and Richard Garriott. As the industry grows, the cost is expected to come down, making it more accessible to people.
The Future of Space Tourism
The future of space tourism looks promising as more companies invest in this industry. SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo have already made significant progress towards making space tourism a reality.
In the next few years, we can expect to see more companies entering this industry, making it more competitive and driving down the cost of space tourism.
Conclusion
Space tourism is no longer just a sci-fi dream; it has become a reality. The industry is in its early stages and has a lot of potential for growth. As more private companies invest in this field, we can expect to see significant developments in space tourism technology that will make it safer and more accessible for people around the world.