What Is Suborbital Tourism?

By Alice Nichols

Suborbital tourism is a relatively new concept that involves taking a trip to space, but not quite reaching orbit. It’s an exciting prospect for those who dream of experiencing the thrill of spaceflight, but don’t have the necessary training or qualifications to become astronauts.

What is Suborbital Tourism?

Suborbital tourism involves traveling to an altitude just below the boundary of space, typically around 100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. This altitude is known as the Kármán line. At this height, passengers will experience weightlessness and get a breathtaking view of the Earth from above.

How Does Suborbital Tourism Work?

Suborbital tourism involves using reusable space vehicles designed for short flights. These vehicles are powered by rockets, which provide enough thrust to reach high altitudes quickly. Once in space, the rocket engine shuts off, and passengers experience weightlessness for several minutes before returning to Earth.

The Benefits of Suborbital Tourism

One significant advantage of suborbital tourism is that it offers an opportunity for ordinary people to experience spaceflight without requiring extensive training or specialized skills. It also provides a unique perspective on our planet and allows passengers to see the Earth in a way that few people ever have before.

Another benefit is that suborbital tourism could pave the way for more extended trips into orbit and beyond. By demonstrating the viability of reusable spacecraft and promoting public interest in space exploration, suborbital tourism could help accelerate progress towards more ambitious goals like establishing permanent human settlements on other planets.

The Future of Suborbital Tourism

While suborbital tourism is still in its infancy, several companies are already working on developing commercial spacecraft capable of taking paying customers into space. These include Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX.

As technology continues to evolve and costs come down, it’s likely that suborbital tourism will become more accessible and affordable for the general public. This could open up a whole new era of space exploration, where anyone with the means and the desire can experience the thrill of spaceflight.

Conclusion

Suborbital tourism is an exciting new field that offers a unique opportunity to experience spaceflight without requiring extensive training or specialized skills. With several companies already working on commercial spacecraft, it’s only a matter of time before this becomes a reality for more people. Whether you’re a space enthusiast or just someone looking for an unforgettable adventure, suborbital tourism is definitely something to consider in the coming years.