Space tourism is one of the most exciting features of the larger tourism industry, and more companies are positioning themselves to help you become an astronaut. While you might have seen scientific fiction movies about space travel, now it is time for reality. Keep reading to see the leading companies that you can use to tour space.
What is Space Tourism?
When the name ‘space exploration’ is mentioned, what runs through most people’s mind are the scientists who travel to explore outer bodies, such as the moon. Space tourism also involves travelling to space, but for leisure purposes. Indeed, you do not need any scientific qualifications apart from being physically fit and being able to meet the cost.
Travelling to space allows you to get new experiences, from experiencing weightlessness to taking photos of the earth. These are memories that will remain embedded in the mind for your entire life. So, if you are looking forward to enjoying this awesome experience, here are three companies that you can book a ticket from:
Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic, a space tourism firm under the Virgin Group, plans to offer regular sub-orbital flights. The company’s space vehicle, VSS Unity, entered the testing process in 2018, bringing closer the possibility of regular flights. VSS Unity flights will involve blasting from the ground and travelling to the edge of space before gliding back to the launch site. Already the company has a long waiting list, and the tickets are going for about $250,000.
SpaceX
SpaceX is another innovative company founded in 2002 by Elon Musk. After going into aerospace in 2017, the company has achieved tremendous success in different areas.
On behalf of Air Force and NASA, SpaceX has delivered about 48 satellites into the orbit as well as 22,700 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station.
SpaceX experience in space has won people’s trust, and many are willing to use it for space travel. Unlike Virgin Galactic, which targets suborbital flights, SpaceX aims for orbital and lunar space tourism.
Blue Origin
Like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin is targeting travelers who want to take sub-orbital flights. The company is using an incremental approach from suborbital to orbital flights, with every stage building on the prior work. Engineers at Blue Origins are using a number of technologies with the primary focus being the rocket-powered vertical takeoff and vertical landing vehicles for access to orbital and sub-orbital space.
If you are considering space travelling, all that you need is to be in good health. Using the three companies we have listed above, you can enjoy either orbital or suborbital space travelling. Note that before blasting off the launch pad, you will be required to prepare adequately by following a training program provided by the selected space travel company.
