With the successful launch of SpaceShipOne in 2004 the idea of the average person going to space was reinvigerated. Of course, space tourism started a few years before that, with Dennis Tito’s flight to the International Space Station in 2001. There are several unresolved issues with space tourism though. Here are two really basic questions that still aren’t answered:
Where is Space?
This may seem to be a stupid question, but there is no clear definition of space, at least from a legal standpoint. There a many laws and treaties dealing with commericlal air travel, but nearly none dealing with commercial space travel. When, for instance, did SpaceShipOne cease to be an aircraft and become a spacecraft?
Before tourism can “take off”, there will need to be a clear meaning to the word “space”.
What is Space Tourism?
Some authors argue that we already have space tourism in that folks flock to the various space centers to experience a taste of the history and lore of the space race and beyond. For others, Space Tourism is defined as any commercial activity that offers people the experience of space travel. If that last definition seems pretty broad to you, you’re right.
Is sub-orbital flight (like that proposed by Virgin Galactic) space travel? It goes back to our first question - just where is space? What about the Dennis Tito’s of the world - are they tourists or astronauts? For that matter, is a space tourist an astronaut?
Lots of questions, and only the beginning of the answers. It’s an exciting time to be involved in space.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Ray // Apr 30, 2006 at 3:56 pm
Hi Walt,
As this recent press release from British home insurance company Churchill shows -
Beam me up scottie: British touronauts holidaying in space by 2050 -
a space tourist is a Touronaut!
See - http://www.churchill.com/pressReleases/25032006.htm
Regards,
Ray
ProfitsGuru.com
2 Walt // May 2, 2006 at 4:41 pm
I wonder if that will catch on. It would be an interesting name to see used.
Leave a Comment