Journal 12, June 21

Space Tourism

In the early years of the nineteen-hundreds, leading up to the first flight, the thought of an airplane wasn’t a concern for many. But with passion and dedication, the Wright brothers took their stance in history creating the first powered aircraft flight. Today we arrive at a similar but quite more complex situation. Richard Branson, the business mogul behind Virgin Mobile, has officially begun the initial construction of Spaceport America which will facilitate the launch of aircraft of tourist to outer space. The facility, located in New Mexico, will launch aircrafts 50,000 thousand feet above earth with up to six tourists. From there, the aircraft will release a spaceship, which will be powered by rockets to move throughout space. These trips will cost passengers, on average, around $200,000.
By 2020, the developers predict to have spaceports in California, New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, and Wisconsin with in the United States and in other countries as well such as Singapore and Dubai. Around this time passengers will also be able to hopefully take a two week trip to the moon with a private astronaut, or pilot.

The idea of flying into space for the day with business partners or clients is incredible. When we were all growing up the idea of space travel was merely science fiction or fantasy. It is finally becoming reality. Society will most definitely benefit from this new form of travel in that they will “not only have a feeling of separation but a feeling of connection,” says a source with CNN. The feeling one would have when actually peering down onto the earth and able to see 1,000 miles in any direction is unimaginable. The fact alone that we have the technology and sophistication about space to have the confidence to take the average Joe with a few bucks on a trip, literally, “out of this world” is impressive. This is a huge step towards discovering more about space and the limits society can achieve current generations and many to come.

Reference Used:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/06/20/new.mexico.spaceport/index.html#cnnSTCText

Additional References:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/04/30/space.tour/index.html#cnnSTCText

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/10/20/future.airports/index.html#cnnSTCText

http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/31/news/companies/siklos_virgin_america.fortune/index.htm