Just a few short years ago, the famous Star Trek motto “to boldly go where no man has gone before” seemed like mere science fiction, but it’s quickly becoming a reality.
The budding space tourism industry has the potential to not only change the way we think about and interact with the universe but also enable us to explore the unknown. Before we know it, civilians will have an exciting opportunity to experience the thrill of weightlessness and view the beauty of our planet from space—and that is only the beginning.
Defining space travel
Generally speaking, experts consider the edge of space to begin around fifty to sixty miles above the earth’s mean sea level. According to Jane Reifert, vice president of marketing at Incredible Adventures, a space-themed adventure park in Sarasota, Florida, there are two types of space travel: orbital and suborbital. She notes that the distinctions between them are their travel speed, altitude above the earth, and duration. For example, an orbital craft must reach 17,400 miles per hour to remain in space and achieve at least one orbit (which takes approximately ninety minutes, depending on the altitude). In contrast, the speed for a suborbital spacecraft is much slower, ranging between 2,200 to 3,700 miles per hour. As a result, it does not have the power to orbit and will come back down to earth when the engines shut off.
The future of space travel
Companies such as Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and Blue Origin are competing for the top spot in this space race, each having invested billions of dollars over the past few decades. In fact, some projects are already in their design stages. For instance, prominent space company Orbital Assembly Corporation is set to begin construction of the Voyager Station, a rotating space hotel, by 2026 and open it in 2027. Orbiting 200 miles above the earth’s surface, the hotel will mimic the gravity of Mars and accommodate approximately 280 guests. It plans on offering resort-like amenities, including a restaurant and bar (with space food, of course), a gym, an entertainment center, and areas for rest and relaxation.
Although the pricing for this adventure is still not confirmed, it’s estimated that it will cost as much as $5 million for a three-day stay. Other forms of space tourism are expected to be equally pricey: a Virgin Galactic suborbital space ride would be about $450,000 and a SpaceX orbital flight nearly $10 million.
However, Reifert explains that there’s more to space tourism than simply buying a ticket. First, she says, you’d have to prequalify, which involves going through centrifuge training to determine if you can withstand the intense pull of gravity (g-force). This training will gauge how your body reacts to the pressure and teach you breathing techniques to improve your tolerance level.
Of course, we’re still many years away from any of these space adventures being ready. In the meantime, there are several affordable ways to simulate the space experience right here on earth’s surface.
Be an astronaut for a day
Per Reifert, more than fifteen million people visit space-themed resorts, museums, space camps, and NASA’s visitor centers annually. And due to the increased interest in civilian space travel, more of these resorts and attractions are currently being developed. “If you’re a space enthusiast and want to experience various types of spaceflights, there are several out-of-this-world adventures to choose from,” Reifert remarks.
SpaceBalloon
Starting in 2024, Space Perspective plans to take passengers up to twenty-five miles above the earth’s surface. Here, they will have a 360-degree view of the earth, which they can share with family and friends thanks to the availability of Wi-Fi aboard. In addition, this carbon-neutral, pressurized space capsule can fit an entire football stadium inside it, making it roomy enough for guests to move around the ship and enjoy the sensation of floating in space. You’ll even be able to book this vessel for a wedding.
Zero-gravity flights
Places like Incredible Adventures provide the opportunity to experience the effects of weightlessness and floating with their zero-gravity flights. Before taking off on the Florida park’s Commander 700 aircraft, an FAA-certified flight instructor will provide instruction on what to expect and how to tolerate the pull of gravity. The freefall you feel when returning to earth from this parabolic flight will be an unforgettable, life-changing event.
Aerobatic flights
An aerobatic flight can also satisfy a desire to experience g-force—and give you the thrill of your life. During this high-intensity ride, a pilot performs air stunts such as loops, torque rolls, spirals, and inverted spins. With the abrupt changes in altitude and the acceleration and deceleration in speed, you will feel a sense of weightlessness and pull of gravity of up to 4-g.
With new technological advancements and the public’s increased curiosity about space travel, space tourism is expected to grow far beyond our wildest imaginations. And as it becomes more affordable—possibly by midcentury—your desire to be launched into space may become a reality.
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