Space Tourism: The Technology Making Outer Space Accessible to All

The idea of space was once limited to astronauts and scientists but it’s now opening doors for civilians to let them experience the exciting adventures beyond Earth. Traditional tourism involves space agencies sending people to explore and perform scientific research. However, Space tourism is a commercial activity, that allows people to experience space and travel for leisure, adventure, and recreational purposes. 

This idea of space tourism has expanded to redefine travel and exploration. Space tourism has transformed from an imaginary dream to a reality. The space tourism involves transporting people beyond Earth’s atmosphere using spacecraft designed and operated by private companies. Each level of space tourism programs offers a different experience. Companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic are pushing the boundaries of space exploration. This article mentions how space tourism can reshape the future and what are the latest innovations making space tourism possible for everyone.

There are mainly three levels of space tourism:

Suborbital tourism:

In this level, the spacecraft takes you to the edge of space but doesn’t break the gravitational border. The spacecraft reaches the border between Earth’s atmosphere and space. Passengers experience weightlessness for a few minutes and see the earth’s curvature before returning to the earth’s surface. Companies offering suborbital tourism include Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin.

Orbital tourism:

Orbital flights reach orbit at higher altitudes than suborbital flights. This tourism level provides a more extended experience of micro-gravity and passengers can spend up to a week in space. At this level, the passenger can spend more time in space and travel farther from Earth. SpaceX and Axiom Space are orbital space tourism offering companies.

Lunar tourism:

This type of space tourism involves a tour to the moon. This is still under the conceptual stage aiming to provide a tour around the moon’s orbit. Many companies like SpaceX have shown their interest in offering lunar tourism services while carrying out their plans for space exploration.

History of Space Tourism

The journey of space tourism began in 2001 with an American businessman and engineer named Dennis Tito. He became the first private individual to travel to space by paying $20 million to the International Space Station. Dennis Tito started his space exploration journey with the Russian Soyuz TM-32 spacecraft. He spent seven days on the International Space Station. Initially, space travel was dominated by state-funded programs, but later on, it saw a shift towards privatization. 

In 2021 space tourism saw its peak as private companies including Blue Origin and SpaceX started launching tourists on their own rockets. These Companies faced significant challenges, including environmental concerns like climate change, regulatory challenges, high costs, and safety concerns. Despite these hurdles, the space tourism industry gradually evolved through advancements in reusable rocket technology. Today, space tourism is making outer space accessible to all with its immense potential.

Top and emerging companies in the space tourism:

These are some of the leading companies that are transforming the space tourism and making it a reality. Every one of these companies offers unique approaches.

SpaceX: 

The provider of reusable space launch vehicles company that uses advanced technology for large payloads. The firm allows users to design, launch, and manufacture spacecraft and rockets to offer several services including satellite internet systems. The firm also provides a trunk attached to spacecraft, multiple engines, parachutes, and oxygen-based propellants. 

SpaceX completed its first all-civilian mission named Inspiration4 by sending private individuals on a journey around Earth in 2021. SpaceX has raised around 11.9 billion USD across multiple funding rounds since its inception, including $750 million secured during its series J funding round from a16z.

Virgin Galactic:

The company provides solutions for space tourism and services using its own fleet. Virgin Galactic aims to offer a unique experience to its passengers. The company develops and operates reusable spaceflight systems and spaceships to carry passengers. It provides its services to researchers, individuals, and students. The company wants to redefine space tourism.

In suborbital flights, passengers can experience weightlessness and watch the earth’s curvature during the space tour before returning to the planet. Virgin Galactic has secured 100 million USD across three funding rounds. This includes $425 million raised during its post-IPO round.

Axiom Space:

Axiom Space contributes to the ecosystem by offering a unique solution like a commercial space station for habitation. The firm focuses on creating commercial space stations. The company aims to establish the Axiom station, as a destination for astronauts and private individuals. The company serves across aerospace, defense tech, and maritime market segments. 

Axiom provides several services including research and manufacturing for tourism. The Houston-based firm has secured around 480 million USD from multiple funding rounds, including $350 million raised during its series C funding round from AlJazira Capital and Boryung Pharmaceutical.

Blue Origin:

Blue Origin is a manufacturer of reusable launch vehicles for large payloads like spacecraft. It focuses on suborbital flights with its New Shepard suborbital rocket system. The company aims to make space travel a reality by making it accessible to everyone. Its spacecraft features a capsule with a large window to witness the view during micro-gravity. 

In 2021, Blue Origin launched its first space tourism mission Flying Bezos. This mission played an important role in improving the features of the new Shepard system. The firm also received $130 million in prize money from NASA.

Boeing:

Boeing is mainly known for manufacturing commercial jetliners, space, and security systems. This company is now involved in the space tourism sector. The firm designed a spacecraft known as Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner with the help of NASA to transport astronauts to and from the ISS. The company is actively showing its interest in space tourism.

Boeing reported an annual revenue of 70.54 billion USD with a net loss of 4.13 billion USD in FY23. The company secured $5.5 billion and $3.5 billion across two conventional debt rounds. The firm also received $337k prize money from the European Union.

Technologies involved in space tourism

Behind making the dream of space travel into reality many technologies were used some of them are reusable rockets, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and virtual reality (VR). Below are some of the technologies that make space travel more accessible and safer while providing immersive experiences.

Spacecraft advancement:

Modern spacecraft have evolved with more focus on prioritizing passenger safety, comfort, and efficiency. These new spacecraft like Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner focus on providing passenger’s well-being while offering an immersive experience. The tourism capsules have been added with new features including advanced life-support systems and streamlined designs to transform the space vehicles.

Reusable rocket technology:

The cost of launching rockets is always one of the biggest challenges in space tourism and this reusable technology helps them solve this problem. The traditional rockets were used only once before discarding but with technological innovation these rockets have been made reusable. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Blue Origin’s New Shepard enabled the reuse of used rockets which helped in reducing costs.

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics:

Artificial intelligence enhances flight path navigation and monitors the spacecraft’s health while training space tourists. Virtual reality is often used to provide an immersive experience of space before the trip to train space tourists physically and mentally. These technologies can improve the passenger’s safety, and the overall experience, enabling smooth space travel.

Benefits of space tourism:

The space tourism sector has immense potential for economic opportunities, as tourism will involve spacecraft development and specialized training programs, creating new job opportunities. Innovations in space travel will boost scientific research, create public awareness, and benefit other industries such as telecommunications. This will also inspire people to explore the space, inspiring education and research in STEM fields. 

Challenges in space tourism:

Despite its immense potential, space tourism faces challenges including climate change as the rocket launch alone causes pollution. The cost of exploration and transportation is also very high, limiting it to wealthy individuals. Apart from financial and environmental problems it also involves safety risks. Space travel is risky and the change in atmosphere or connection issues with a team can be dangerous without professional help. Legal frameworks and liability issues must be addressed beforehand.

Future of Space Tourism:

The increased interest and rise in space tourism is a journey beyond the Earth’s orbit. Space travel is likely to become more accessible in the future. With the increased interest space tourism’s cost is expected to decline, making it a more common activity. The collaboration with the government will shape the space tourism industry’s future. Space exploration and research are expanding the scope of space tourism.

Conclusion :

Space tourism is a commercial activity to make passengers travel and explore the space. The companies are using cutting-edge technologies to turn the imagination of space tourism into reality. While the space tourism sector has a huge potential to transform the aerospace industry it also faces challenges affecting society, technology, and the economy.

These space tourism-providing companies are expected to offer more innovative solutions with decreased tourism costs. The above article mentioned how space tourism is making outer space accessible to everyone beyond astronauts and researchers.