Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Space Tourism to Become Affordable -- by 2019
So far space tourism has
been limited to only the superrich—such as Dennis Tito, who paid $20 million to hitch a ride into outer space
with the Russians. By 2008, space tourism will be limited to just the average rich. Richard
Branson’s upstart Virgin Galactic will be selling rides into outer space for $200,000. While I certainly
have optimistic hopes for my near future, I have suspicions that this will still be slightly out of my price
range.
There is good news for poor mopes like myself, however. Branson just announced that he hopes to make flights affordable to the masses by 2019. Although he wasn’t foolish enough to quote a price, he did equate space travel to the early days of commercial flying, arguing that trans-Atlantic flights, which initially cost the equivalent of $80,000, are now available for just a few hundred dollars. The way Social Security is these days in the States, I’m not entirely sure I’ll have a few hundred dollars to spare in 2019, but at least I have plenty of time to start saving.
Filed under: Business
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kraig Mar 30th 2006 3:32PM
Sign me up! I'll be ready to by then!
JAL Apr 4th 2006 8:45PM
I'M GOING!
Bill E Apr 4th 2006 8:47PM
He's right on, a visionary, keep up the good work.
Martha Rubenstein Apr 4th 2006 9:10PM
Pencil me in! I've wanted to be a space tourist for the past 40 years (I'm 49, now)!
Rick Ungrich Apr 4th 2006 9:33PM
The best way to get to space is with a technical career. I am studying electronics and will soon be a bio-med technician. I want to go to Mars!
F. B. Ungrich II Apr 4th 2006 9:37PM
The best way to get to space is with a technical career. I am studying electronics and will soon be a bio-med technician. I want to go to Mars!
i9xsytgs Apr 4th 2006 9:40PM
Baby Boomers Listen up. Unless you have more money then most,and want to do something like go just "outside" the Earths Atmospher before your "ticker" can't stand the ride up, my bet is we'll have to watch our children get that ride up instead. They'll be doing it on thier inherintance money you'll give them.We are not going to get to go for this ride in our life times. If you want to feel like your way up there , take a pair of binoculars with you on your cheaper airline flight and look down at the earth through the wrong end.You are now an astronaut. Get your wings!
Raiden Apr 4th 2006 9:56PM
Hmmm, going to outer space for fun.The money is a problem for most, but it will get cheaper. Just look at our government looking into space engines to get to mar between 3 to 5 months. If there money to be made. OH YEA it can be out be out alot sooner.
Alan Apr 4th 2006 10:29PM
Space Travel sounds fun.
Peter Apr 4th 2006 10:33PM
It really is a shame that we have not gotten any further than this. It's almost forty years since Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, but now space flight is still as difficult and rare as back then. While there will always be risks involved, by this point humanity should have some sort of interplantery colonization occurring. Mars and the Moon should come first, followed by Venus and the Galilean moons of Jupiter. This low-orbit space flight should not be expensive anymore. By 2019, we should be terraforming Mars.
Cary Gerber Apr 4th 2006 10:50PM
Mr. Data-ENGAGE!
Jellybean Apr 4th 2006 10:54PM
I think that going to outer space would be fun! I could see it now, the new High School trips! Now that would be learning!!
Ron Cason Apr 4th 2006 11:05PM
I've wanted to be an astronaut since I was a kid 40 years ago, but was too lazy to pursue it in my younger days. Now there's a good chance I will get to space anyway, albeit in my sixties. That's something to look forward to, and save up for. I applaud commercial space pioneers like Branson who are finally providing an opportunity for anyone who can afford it to go into space.
bob marley Apr 4th 2006 11:27PM
oh my goodness! i so want to walk on that moon! that would be so dope! totally! haha ! but for real thatd be really tiiiiiiiiight
Red Frost Apr 4th 2006 11:32PM
AHHH!!!!! I am 57 and have always had my head in the clouds. I have wanted to travel into space as far back as I can remember. I am moving to the Fiji Islands soon so I can be closer to the stars. You know- no lights-. To be able to see the blackness of space must be a remarkable experence to behold. Oh how I envy the ones that have gone on before me. Well.. maybe someone will feel for this old? man and donate an airfare to me before I lapse into the hereafter. Or maybe Mr. Branson will feel for me. Red Frost from Oregon
Ted Apr 4th 2006 11:34PM
You gotta love this guy, space travel for the masses sounds great. It will be out my price range at 65 but I hope others get a cool ride. Weightlessness can be felt other ways, besideds I'm spacey enough as it is.
Keep looking up!!
Mrs. D Apr 5th 2006 12:15AM
No thanks I'm happy with my feet planted on the ground. I'll get my chance to see the heavens when my time on earth is up and not a moment sooner. =)
Lil' Ross Apr 5th 2006 1:31AM
I don't think I like the idea of exploding trying to get past the earth's gravitational pull...what a waste of time. There's nothing out there in space except...space, anyway. (At least that we'll probably ever see.)
anthony Apr 5th 2006 1:54AM
that sounds really cool but what happens when a shuttle explodes its not like you can full proof 20 million pounds of thrust....Mr. Virgin better have good insurance
T Carpenter Apr 5th 2006 4:07AM
To all those who suggest that this project is not worthwhile... Space travel is in our future, and the arguable destiny of mankind. By going into space (even low Earth orbit) we experience something that distant human progeny will take for granted. A home in space helps to insure the persistence of our species, and the magnificent world on which we thrive. Peace.