The Future of Space Tourism and Exploration

Paurush Kumar

The world is changing rapidly, and every method we use to interact with our surroundings is being reinvented. So much so that even space exploration is taking a step forward and is being commercially tested for tourists.

The Arctic Monkeys took it up a notch with an album that describes a hotel on the moon releasing earlier this year. But maybe a luxury hotel on the moon is a step too far, with space exploration looking like a much more realistic option.

It all started with an idea. An idea to equalise space and to make it accessible to the common man. It’ll help broaden people’s horizons, change their perspective of life and provide an experience that’ll change their very lifestyle.

Interest in Space Tourism

As a species, exploration is in our nature. We always strive to climb over the next wall to see what lies beyond.

Orbital ventures were initiated by the Russian Federal Space Agency back in the late-1990s, and successfully sent 8 tourists with Space Adventures on different Soyuz spacecrafts.

Denis Tito was the first space tourist to fund his own trip to space. He spent 8 days in space and shelled out $20 million.

Sub-orbital tourism and spacewalking attract a majority of the people’s interest. Wealth is not the only criteria of opting for space tourism and becoming a commercial space tourist. A lot of rigorous training and proper selection of crew and vehicle is necessary to minimise the risk and making the tour more feasible.

Building companies and technology

Founded by entrepreneur Richard Branson, private company Virgin Galactic aims to open up space to the general public. Read more about Virgin Galactic and their vision here.

Santhosh George Kulangara will be the first Indian space tourist as passenger 38 in Virgin galactic flight.

Owing to the space exploration industry’s growing popularity, several organizations have been formed to promote the space tourism, such as the Space Tourism Society, Space Future and Hobby Space.  

Though space exploration is the most realistic next step mankind can take, we still have some hurdles in the way.

 

Risk

There is a high risk involved in the expedition that limits us from increasing the number of tourists. Space is a dangerous place. Threats involved in the trip are being exposed to radiation that could increase lifetime risk for cancer, lack of appetite due to a compact diet comprising freeze-dried food, requires daily exercise to keep the muscles and bones from deteriorating, lack of emotional support from family, friends and the whole world.

Affordability and Under-funding

Financial backing determines the size and growth of the project. During the development phase of building the technology, under-funding of the project hampers growth. As an individual, affordability becomes an issue since the cost involved is very high, be it training or the real flight.

Nascent Sector

Space adventure requires a lot of tech development and capital investment to start as a profit business and attract enough interest around the globe to explore beyond earth.

Rockets can only be launched once

Reusable rockets are the most important project to trigger space tourism, as this would cut down the budget by many folds. Click here to read how SpaceX plans to reuse rockets.

What does the future hold?

Investment in space tourism can generate employment on a large scale and this could also initiate a breakthrough in the industry by creating new options such as personnel for building the spacecraft, space hotels, to training travelers, investment and insurance, asteroid mining and colonising beyond earth.

India has secured its place among the leading nations which are manufacturing affordable projects considering the budget. ISRO can offer significant support to the fledgling private space industry in terms of access to infrastructure, research and mentorship.

Curiosity and excitement serve as the fuel which propels us to build and transform the existing way of life.

Let us know of your take on space tourism and exploration in the comment section below!