Apollo 11 Launch. Courtesy of NASA.
Related Articles
-
RocketShip Tours partners with Ensemble Travel Group
Forty years after man first stepped foot on the Moon, space and space-tourism is again being widely and excitedly discussed. NASA, other global space organizations and private entities are collaboratively investigating the viability and cost effectiveness of space tourism. For a lucky few space tourism has meant accompanying career astronauts on actual space missions. In the immediate future, however, most travelers are likely to experience space through shorter sub-orbital flights.
“This mission to the ISS fulfilled a lifelong dream to experience spaceflight as my father did 35 years ago,” said Richard Garriott, entrepreneur and renowned video game designer who traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-13. “This experience – from my training, to lift-off, to staying on the ISS – is evidence of the critical role science and technology innovations play in advancing humankind's exploration, and eventual commercialization, of space.”
Two companies are vying for the first commercial space tourism dollars. RocketShip Tours and Virgin Galactic are both confident that leisure travelers will be willing to spend their vacation dollars on short trips into space. As these companies race to get theirships ready to lunch, several recent events indicate space tourism is closer than many think.
In February 2009, the cost of space travel declined by 50 percent, effectively launching the first space fare war.
In June 2009, Ensemble Travel Group, an international organization of nearly 500 professional travel agencies in the U.S. and Canada, announced a new partnership with RocketShip Tours making it possible for travelers to plan space vacations through 500 travel agencies across the U.S. and Canada.
On July 27, 2009 the Virgin Galactic Mothership “Eve” will arrive and execute a number of low passes at the EEA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009. This will be “Eve's” first appearance before a general-public audience.
“Human space exploration is at a crossroad,” explains Susan Hassler, IEEE member and Editor-in-chief of IEEE Spectrum. “Scientists and engineers around the world are now testing and building technologies that will define both manned and unmanned space exploration for the next 100 years. A great many of us would love to human beings go back to the moon and beyond to Mars.”
Astronauts used to be a very restricted club. Few people could say they had been to space and even fewer have walked on the Moon. Today, a growing number of the world's citizens are exploring the possibility of traveling in space, not for a career but for a vacation.
Comments
Does anyone remember the Luna List that was initiated by Pan AM? Someone may want to track it down as it contained a list of 90,000 names of people who wanted to shuttle off to into the big blue. When Pan Am closed up shop, the list was for sale. No takers as far as I know.
My interest in Space Tourism dates from the late 70's. I uncovered a Japanese firm that had designed the aircraft, 'space hotels' and more. I still have the brochure and the accompanying letter. Tough to prove now, but back in 1979 I did take a deposit on a space trip - it was to be a gift from a client to a friends new born baby. They left $200. Six weeks later they came back for the refund! They'd thought it through and figured, it would not happen in that child's lifetime!
Space tourism is the next Everest. At one time impossible to reach the top. Now there's a line up. So best of luck to any firm engaging in space travel & tourism. One thing's for sure - the commisson from selling insurance is worth it!
I've been trying, without luck, to locate the Luna List. I'm not quitting, but if anyone has any leads about where this might be, or connections to anyone involved in it I would welcome your help!
I fell in love with the idea of Space tourism in the 1980's when the book the Right Stuff was on a school reading list. I've been carting my paperback copy of it around for more than 20 years and have managed to get it autographed by all but 2 of the original astronauts (one was deceased before I began collecting signatures and I haven't tracked John Glenn down in person yet) as well as my personal hero, Chuck Yeager.
The RocketShip Tour appeals more to me than the Virgin Galactic trip because the pilot in me would rather be right-seat where I can at least watch the pilot than in the back where all I can do is look out the window.
Dear Jay Hammond,
Thanks for this interesting piece which being able to link to adds value for our readers. The page is The Blog of Kevin Dolgin, Sept. 29.
Best of all possible regards,
Pat Hartman
News Editor, The Blog of Kevin Dolgin
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!