DailyDirt: Space Tourism Is Almost Here
from the urls-we-dig-up dept
The Space Shuttle program is retired, but we still have the Soyuz (and maybe a mysterious secret mini-shuttle) to get people into space. On top of that, though, the private space industry is starting to kick in with more and more ambitious plans to offer rides into space — or at least to the edge of space. Here are just a few more examples of these private efforts.
- Travel agents are already booking seats on Virgin Galactic — for $200,000 (including a $20,000 upfront deposit). Over 450 passengers have already bought tickets. [url]
- Mars One is aiming for human settlement on our neighboring planet around 2023. It’ll be a one-way trip, so plan accordingly. [url]
- The Hermes spacecraft received some Kickstarter funding to build its next test rocket. It’s still far from developing a rocket system ready for humans, but it’s still cool to see more engineers trying to re-invent space travel. [url]
- Alliant Techsystems (aka ATK), which manufactured the Space Shuttle’s booster rockets, is developing a rocket system it calls Liberty. This Liberty rocket system is designed to hold 7 passengers and reach destinations like the International Space Station. [url]
- To discover more links on space exploration, check out what’s floating around in StumbleUpon universe. [url]
By the way, StumbleUpon can also recommend some good Techdirt articles, too.
Filed Under: hermes, liberty, mars, mars one, rockets, shuttle, space, spacecraft, tourism
Companies: alliant techsystems, atk, kickstarter, nasa, virgin galactic
Comments on “DailyDirt: Space Tourism Is Almost Here”
MArs1
A one-way trip to Mars sounds like just the right solution for some people.
How corporations will get their asteroid mines, etc.
1. “Corporations are people, my friend.”
2. Rockets carry people.
3. Put corporations on rocket.
4. Fly rocket to asteroid/moon/comet/other celestial body.
5. ???
6. Profit!!!
Problem, NASA?
Here's another one:
1. Corporations cause global warming.
2. Put corporations in rocket.
3. Send rocket to Mars.
4. Wait…
5. Mars is habitable!
iron pyrite propulsion
Maybe I’m a pessimist, but 2023 sounds ludicrously unrealistic for a Mars colony, and the Mars One web site looks like a scam.
iron pyrite propulsion
Beta,
I think it comes down to how much funding Mars One really has. I don’t think they say how much their budget is, but if it’s ridiculously low, then 2023 *is* ludicrous.
Re: iron pyrite propulsion
Mars One are depending on public funding through making the whole thing a giant reality TV show, they done a discussion on Reddit a while ago
(link http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/ufb42/ama_i_am_founder_of_mars_one_sending_four_people/ )
Think its safe to say this is never getting off the ground….unfortunatly
Re: Re: iron pyrite propulsion
What I don’t understand is that they do not have options for private persons to contribute to this project. Why only have corporations?
It's pretty incredible when you stop to think about it...
My father is doing some of the work out at Spaceport America (LC Mechanical is his company)…the other day, I was talking to my Mother on the phone and she casually said something to one of the office workers, “get me the file for the spaceport, will you?”.
I didn’t think anything of it at the moment, but on reflection, this was the first time I have heard someone casually toss off the word “spaceport” in casual conversation!
Anyone else feel like they just stepped into a sci-fi novel?