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So you want to go - NOW?
Oct 8, 2004 10: 58 EST
You can. If you have some ten million US dollars and are willing to trust the Russians. In a survey, 80% of Americans under 40 said they wanted to travel to space. 10% adding that they would be willing to pay at least one years salary for it.
In another survey, made by US based Space Adventures among their clients, the results showed that most of them would go on the first SpaceShipOne launch, motivated by the sole desire to see Earth from Space.
The results contradict the rumors that "space tourism" is for millionaire thrill-seekers.
Space Adventures offers space travel and training, using Russian facilities. There are a variety of space training adventures such as zero gravity and supersonic jet flights, cosmonaut training and actual flights into space. These are the guys who took Dennis Tito (former NASA engineer) privately to the International Space Station (ISS).
The menu
Orbital Space flight: Mock launch and re-entry simulations, zero gravity flights and other mission-specific training exercises. The four to six month training sessions culminate with the ultimate experience: an eight to ten day spaceflight to the orbiting ISS. Around USD 10 million.
Suborbital Spaceflight Program: One-hour flights to space on a private reusable craft, allowing one to four passengers to witness a view of Earth in a weightless environment. Before these tourists embark on their space voyage, each must spend several days in preparation by acclimating to zero gravity conditions and participating in centrifuge and high-altitude jet training. The program is currently under development but over 100 individuals have already made their reservations for suborbital flights - and paid 10,000 USD in deposition.
Spaceflight Training Programs: A two-week program features space training experiences such as zero gravity flight, Edge of Space flight, centrifuge, neutral buoyancy simulators, medical tests and more.
Space Experiences on Earth: Individuals can float weightless like astronauts on a parabolic zero gravity flight, view the Earth from 99 percent above its atmosphere in a state-of-the art fighter jet, simulate space walks in an authentic space suit and more. These experiences are performed in Star City, the same professional training facilities where Russian cosmonauts, astronauts and military pilots perform their own training.
Survey results: The thrill? The first's? NO - We want to see Earth from Space!
In June, the company made a survey among the 100 people who have paid deposits to fly on a suborbital vehicle. The survey was conducted exclusively with individuals who have paid at least a $10,000 (USD) deposit for the flight that will ultimately cost $102,000 (USD). Results from the survey that was administered on June 15 -17, 2004 include:
Would you be willing to fly on SpaceShipOne if a seat were made available on the first flight?
69% I'd be on the first flight
19% Not the first flight, but one soon after
12% I'd like to see a few more flights first
What is the biggest reason that you have decided to take a suborbital flight?
46% To see Earth from space
18% Uniqueness of experience
17% Want to participate in space exploration
12% Want to be part of an exclusive club
7% Want to experience weightlessness
Do you want the suborbital spaceship in which you fly to be of a similar design to SpaceShipOne?
72% Yes, it's a great design
12% No, I'd prefer to fly in rocket that takes off vertically
9% No, it needs more room inside
7% Undecided
How many suborbital flights do you plan on taking?
51% At least one more (after the first flight)
19% Ask me after the first one
16% Several more
14% Only one
Where would you prefer to have the suborbital spaceport located?
53% Doesn't matter, just want to fly
24% U.S.A.
12% Europe
5% Asia
Space Adventures is the only company currently accepting deposits from suborbital clients, currently totaling over $2,000,000 (USD).
Founded in 1998 by Eric Anderson, born in 1974 in Denver, Colo., currently the president and CEO. Previously, Eric was the co-founder of Starport.com, an astronaut-endorsed space education and entertainment web site (Starport.com was sold to SPACE.com in June 2000). He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Virginia, with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering.
Image courtesy SpaceAdventures.
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