Tag Archives: SpaceTourism

Blue Origin tests Crew Capsule 2.0 with ‘biggest windows in space’

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Jeff Bezos' rocket company isn't quite ready for space tourism, but today's test flight gets it a bit closer. Bezos tweeted that for the first time, Blue Origin has tested version 2.0 of its Crew Capsule, and while he didn't mention how luxurious the...

Chinese space theme park to send tourists to the stratosphere

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Until Virgin Galactic launches, the only way to get to space as a civilian is to pay Russia a cool $20 million. If you're willing to fudge your definition of 'space' however, you may have a much cheaper option in a couple of years: A theme park under...

Britain throws another £60 million at the Skylon spaceplane, hopes mid-life crisis is over soon

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Britain throws another £60 million at the Skylon spaceplane, hopes mid-life crisis is over soon

After a series of successful tests on the Skylon spaceplane's SABRE engine, the UK government has decided to invest another £60 million to continue developing it. The scramjet-based tech could pave the way for cheaper space travel, since it carries little oxygen on board and can maneuver like an airplane before rockets kick it into orbit. Earlier, a key component that chills air from 1,830 to minus 302 degrees Fahrenheit in 1/100th of a second passed its trials with flying colors. That means the project team can move to the next phase: building and ground testing a prototype SABRE engine. Though billions of pounds more would be needed to eventually develop a Skylon vehicle, a European Space Agency spokesman thinks it would be worth it, saying "we have something here that is really unique." Let's hope they can match recent scramjet success stateside and avoid the whole crashing part.

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Via: Gizmag

Source: ESA

PayPal Galactic arrives to address the pressing issue of paying in space

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PayPal Galactic arrives to address the pressing issue of paying in space

Space tourism is coming, and it ain't gonna be cheap. The question is, how are the rich folks aboard such craft going to pay for... stuff? Since weighty cash is a non-starter, Paypal has unveiled the PayPal Galactic initiative with SETI and the Space Tourism Society to prepare for the future of extra-planetary commerce. It'll be launched today at noon EST via livestream (see the More Coverage link) by none other than astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who said that future trips to the moon or Mars will require "as many comforts from home as possible, including how to pay each other." PayPal worked with SETI to hatch the project, which will address meaty issues like a standard space currency, the risk of space fraud and dealing with customer support issues. (Sorry, space customer support issues.) We're pretty sure the conversation won't involve how to pay aliens, but as part of the Galactic launch, PayPal will also announce a new crowdfunding campaign on FundRazr to aid SETI. That'll help the ET-seeking outfit with its astrobiology and radio astronomy research and, hopefully, keep its dishes pointed skyward, so maybe one day we can horse-trade with the Ferengi.

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Create your own space program: NASA quietly flogging bits of the Kennedy Space Center

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Create your own space program: NASA quietly flogging bits of the Kennedy Space Center

The idea of private space tourism is certainly taking off, but at such high costs, only 1 percent of the 1 percent will be able to afford it. But, what if you could just do it all yourself? You're going to need some infrastructure to get you started, and luckily, NASA is reportedly looking to lease or sell off some Kennedy Space Center assets it no longer needs. While that list has not been made public, it apparently includes Launch Pad 39A, a landing strip, the Launch Control Center, and various other high-tech equipment and buildings from its late shuttle program. NASA also wants some quick deals before anything falls into disrepair, so if you're serious about your new space venture, you might be able to snag a bargain or two with some strategic low offers. Now you've just gotta wait for a cheap rocket deal to pop up on eBay and you're good to go.

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Via: The Loop

Source: Orlando Sentinel

Golden Spike unveils ambitious plans for $1.5 billion trips to the moon

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Golden Spike unveils ambitious plans for $15 billion trips to the moon

Space tourism? Yeah, been there, doing that. But in the world of private travel, there's really no such thing as too much competition. Today, the newly formed Golden Spike Company took the wraps off of an exceedingly ambitious plan that would eventually see pairs of citizens hoisted up to the moon for a cool $1.5 billion. Before you brush it off as fancy dreaming, it's worth nothing that the firm's CEO previously worked for NASA, while it has amassed a lineup of advisers that includes Newt Gingrich, former NASA shuttle program manager Wayne Hale and Homer Hickam, a former NASA engineer. It clearly understands what it's up against in trying to make this a reality, but loads of questions remain -- there's no firm word on how it'll fund itself as it works up to that inaugural flight, and there doesn't appear to a pre-order link on its website. But hey, at least those recent Powerball winners now have something even they can't afford, right?

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Via: Wired

Source: NBC News, Golden Spike Company [PDF]

Golden Spike unveils ambitious plans for $1.5 billion trips to the moon

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Golden Spike unveils ambitious plans for $15 billion trips to the moon

Space tourism? Yeah, been there, doing that. But in the world of private travel, there's really no such thing as too much competition. Today, the newly formed Golden Spike Company took the wraps off of an exceedingly ambitious plan that would eventually see pairs of citizens hoisted up to the moon for a cool $1.5 billion. Before you brush it off as fancy dreaming, it's worth nothing that the firm's CEO previously worked for NASA, while it has amassed a lineup of advisers that includes Newt Gingrich, former NASA shuttle program manager Wayne Hale and Homer Hickam, a former NASA engineer. It clearly understands what it's up against in trying to make this a reality, but loads of questions remain -- there's no firm word on how it'll fund itself as it works up to that inaugural flight, and there doesn't appear to a pre-order link on its website. But hey, at least those recent Powerball winners now have something even they can't afford, right?

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Via: Wired

Source: NBC News, Golden Spike Company [PDF]