Space exploration has always been a fascinating topic for humans. The mere thought of leaving the Earth and venturing into space is enough to excite anyone.
With the advent of technology, space tourism has become a reality, and people are now looking forward to experiencing it. However, the million-dollar question is – How much does space tourism cost?
What is Space Tourism?
Before diving into the cost associated with space tourism, let’s first understand what it means. Space tourism refers to traveling beyond Earth’s atmosphere for recreational purposes. It involves flying in spacecraft or rockets and experiencing weightlessness, seeing the Earth from above, and enjoying the view of the stars.
Current State of Space Tourism
As of 2021, space tourism has not yet become a mainstream activity. However, various private companies have started working on it. The most notable among them are SpaceX and Blue Origin.
SpaceX is planning to launch its Crew Dragon spacecraft for tourists by late 2021 or early 2022. The trip will last for five days and will take four tourists around the Earth’s orbit at an altitude higher than that of the International Space Station (ISS). The estimated cost per person for this trip is around $55 million.
Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, plans to offer suborbital flights to tourists on its New Shepard spacecraft. The duration of the flight will be around ten minutes, during which passengers will experience weightlessness and enjoy views of Earth from above. The estimated cost per person for this trip is around $200,000.
Other companies like Virgin Galactic and Boeing are also working on providing space tourism services in the near future.
Factors Affecting Cost
The cost associated with space tourism depends on several factors such as:
Destination: Whether it’s a suborbital flight or an orbital flight makes a huge difference in terms of cost. Orbital flights take passengers higher and involve more complex technology, making them more expensive.
Duration: Longer trips, such as SpaceX’s five-day trip, will naturally cost more than shorter ones.
Technology: The technology involved in space tourism is expensive and requires high levels of expertise. Companies invest a lot in research and development, which adds to the overall cost.
Future of Space Tourism
Space tourism is still in its early stages, but it has immense potential. As technology advances and more private companies enter the market, prices are likely to become more affordable. The aim is to make space tourism accessible to everyone in the future.
In conclusion, space tourism is an exciting prospect that has captured the imagination of people worldwide. However, it comes with a hefty price tag due to various factors such as destination, duration, and technology involved. While it may not be accessible to everyone now, advancements may make it possible for everyone to experience it in the future.