DailyTech - International Space Updates, May 2007

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Science International Space Updates, May 2007
Michael Hoffman (Blog) - May 30, 2007 1:09 AM

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4 comment(s) - last by Ringold.. on May 30 at 1:40 PM

A space tourism edition of the DailyTech's International Space Updates

Space tourism is a field which is still gaining support and publicity, especially among those who can afford a trip. A handful of wealthy people paid Space Adventures up to $20 million for the opportunity to fly to the International Space Station. The U.S.-based company remains the only private company to successfully fly into orbit. Traditionally, the Russian Space Agency is responsible for ferrying passengers into space.

An executive from a leading space tourism company believes the space tourism industry can bounce back from a disaster if they warn passengers of risks before take off. If properly briefed on the potential risks and dangers of space flight, customers will likely be unable to file a lawsuit and win in case of an accident.

"God forbid it should happen on the first flight. Hopefully it's many, many years out," said Alex Tai, Virgin Galactic chief operating officer.

Virgin Galactic plans on testing flights next year, before ferrying paying customers into space -- for ~$200,000 per flight -- in late 2009 or early 2010.

A Virgin Galactic competitor, Benson Space Co., also plans on beginning paid launches sometime in 2009. Some companies are choosing to not have height or weight limits -- since the Federal Aviation Administration decided not to require them -- meaning virtually anyone who can afford the trip is fit for launch. The federal government is leaving it up to the companies to come up with their own safety standards.

Space Adventures appears to be the space tourism company in control, and plans to continue its momentum with $100,000 suborbital flights beginning in early 2009.

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It's how commercial airliners started...

By Seemonkeyscanfly on 5/30/2007 9:52:34 AM , Rating: 2

When airliners open up only the rich would fly, then price came down and middle class joined in once in a while. This is when people still dressed up in suits and tie when they were going to fly....Now today everyone flies all the time, and so it will be with space travel.

RE: It's how commercial airliners started...

By Tsuwamono on 5/30/2007 10:12:00 AM , Rating: 2

we hope so anyway. I would love to take a trip around the solar system but at alittle faster speed then we are capable of now lol

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RE: It's how commercial airliners started...

By Ringold on 5/30/2007 1:40:12 PM , Rating: 2

The legal liabilities are also what nearly destroyed general aviation, the lasting wounds of which still hobble the industry today. There's no reason in the world why a simple engine replacement can cost as much as a new Honda, and no reason in the world why vacuum pump manufacturers, for example, turn out the lights due to massive liability suits.

Like was suggested in the article, I hope they have iron-clad legal protections. They'll need it one day.. and not because I'm cynical, but you know, if it can go wrong it will. Eventually.

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