INTRODUCTION

Space tourism, once a concept confined to science fiction, is rapidly becoming a reality. With private companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic leading the charge, ordinary people now have the opportunity to experience the wonders of space travel. These commercial ventures offer short, sub-orbital flights beyond the Karman line and provide passengers with a unique experience.This burgeoning industry represents a significant milestone in making space accessible to non-professional astronauts, opening up new frontiers for exploration and adventure.

What is space tourism?

Space tourism is essentially a section of the aviation sector which seeks to provide tourists with the opportunity to become astronauts and experience space travel for recreational, leisure, or business purposes.

Types: There are two main types of space tourism

• Sub-orbital: The sub-orbital spacecraft takes passengers just beyond the Kármán line.The passengers get to spend a few minutes in outer space and then come back to Earth.

• Example:NS-25 mission aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard launch vehicle in which  Gopinath Thotakura was a part.

• Orbital: The orbital spacecraft, on the other hand, takes passengers much further than the Kármán line. Usually, passengers can spend from a couple of days to more than a week at an altitude of nearly 1.3 million feet.

• Example: Space X’s Falcon 9 which took four passengers to an altitude of 160 km where they spent three days orbiting the Earth.

Importance

• Inspiration and Public Interest: Space tourism ignites public imagination and fosters a renewed interest in space exploration and can inspire future generations to pursue careers in STEM fields and propel further space exploration endeavours.
  
  

• Economic Significance of Space Tourism: The space tourism sector represents a significant economic opportunity, with market value projections indicating exponential growth from $848.28 million in 2023 to an estimated $27,861.99 million by 2032.

• Technological Advancement: The development of safe and reliable space tourism vehicles drives innovation in spacecraft design, propulsion systems, and life support technologies. These advancements can benefit future space missions and exploration efforts.
  
  

• Economic Growth: Space tourism fosters the development of new infrastructure, creates jobs in various sectors like aerospace and tourism, and attracts investments in space technology.
  
  

• Global Collaboration: The pursuit of space tourism necessitates international collaboration between private companies and space agencies. This fosters knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and the development of safety standards, propelling advancements in the global spacefaring community.
  
  

• Perspective Shift: Space tourism offers a unique opportunity to view Earth from a distance. This experience can foster a greater appreciation for our planet's fragility and the importance of environmental sustainability, potentially leading to a more unified global effort to protect our home.
  
  

Gopichand Thotakura’s Space Tour

• History: The first space tourist, Dennis Tito, spent over seven days on the International Space Station(ISS) in 2001. Between 2001 and 2009, Russia took seven tourists to the space station, including Charles Simonyi, who travelled twice. After a lull post-2009, private space tourism saw a resurgence in 2021 and more than 50 others have made such trips to date.

• About: Gopichand Thotakura, an Indian-origin entrepreneur and pilot, became the first from the country to embark on space tourism. 

• Mission: Thotakura was among the seven-member crew that took off to space on May 19 for the New Shepard programme commissioned by Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin.

• Nature and Duration: The journey lasted about ten minutes and reached a height of 105 km from Earth. This sub-orbital flight did not enter orbit but briefly crossed the Karman line before returning to Earth.

Indian Perspective and Potential

• Emerging Market: India's space industry has been steadily growing, with successful missions like Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission) and Chandrayaan (Lunar Exploration Programme). This strong foundation positions India well to become a major player in space tourism.

• Public-Private Partnership: This collaboration between ISRO's expertise and private enterprise could accelerate the development of space tourism infrastructure and services.

• Cost-Effective Leader: ISRO has a reputation for reliable and affordable satellite launches.Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) boasts one of the best success rates in the world at a competitive price. This cost-efficiency could translate into more affordable space tourism experiences for future travellers.

• Space Tourism Plans of ISRO: ISRO plans to launch India's first safe and reusable space tourism model by 2030. According to ISRO chairman S Somnath, this module will cost Rs 6 crore per tourist, allowing participants to officially call themselves astronauts.

• New FDI Limit: The Finance Ministry has set new FDI limits for satellite activities, effective April 16. Satellite manufacturing and operation can receive up to 74% FDI automatically, while spaceport creation is limited to 49% via the automatic route. Components and systems for satellites can now receive 100% FDI via the automatic route.

Recent Initiatives

• SpaceX's Role

• Chartered Mission: SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft, chartered by Jared Issacman, orbited the Earth for three days in 2021.

• Blue Origin's Endeavor

• Jeff Bezos' Journey: Jeff Bezos ventured into space aboard Blue Origin's spacecraft in July 2021.

• Tourist Flights: Blue Origin has conducted seven flights, carrying 37 tourists in total, since then.

• Virgin Galactic's Mission

• Richard Branson's Flight: Richard Branson embarked on a suborbital mission with Virgin Galactic in July 2021.

• Paying Customers: Virgin Galactic subsequently carried its first paying customers in August of the same year.

• Boeing's CST-100 Starliner: Designed for seven passengers or mixed crew and cargo missions to low-Earth orbit. For ISS missions, it will carry up to four NASA crew members and critical scientific research.

•  The reusable Starliner features a weldless structure, wireless internet, and tablet technology, with a six-month turnaround time and up to 10 reuses.

• Altitude Ambitions: Balloon companies like World View, provide high-altitude rides exceeding typical aircraft flight zones, offering enclosed seating arrangements and reaching altitudes of about 100,000 feet (approximately 30 km), three times higher than commercial airliners.

•  The cost is around $50,000 for six to 12-hour flights, providing passengers with panoramic views of the Earth's curvature without experiencing weightlessness.

Challenges

• Pricing Ambiguity: With space tourism costs ranging from approximately Rs 3.75 crore for a trip on Virgin Galactic to Rs 160-210 crore for a journey to the ISS, and future lunar tourism projections reaching Rs 600-850 crore, the unclear pricing landscape presents a significant challenge for potential travellers and the commercial spaceflight industry.

• Safety Concerns: Space travel inherently carries risks. Despite advancements in technology, accidents can still occur. Ensuring the safety of space tourists requires continuous improvement in spacecraft design, rigorous training procedures, and  robust emergency protocols.

• Example: Approximately 3% of astronauts have died during space flights, with a total of 19 fatalities out of 676 people who have flown into space, as reported by Astronomy Magazine in November 2023.
  
  

• Regulation and Policy: The space tourism industry is relatively new, and regulations are still evolving. Developing clear international guidelines for safety standards, liability issues, and environmental impact is crucial for responsible and sustainable space tourism.
  
  

• Environmental Impact:Rocket launches can cause air and noise pollution, and raises concerns about space debris accumulation.Additionally, it may contribute to environmental damage due to rocket emissions into the upper atmosphere.

• Example: A 2022 study by University College London, Cambridge University, and MIT revealed that soot emissions from rocket launch are remarkably effective at warming the atmosphere, surpassing other sources.

Challenges specific to Indian Scenario

• Limited Infrastructure and Technological Capability: This translates to a lack of dedicated infrastructure for launching and supporting space tourism missions.

• Example: India still relies on Russia and USA for its astronaut training for Gaganyaan Mission

• High Cost : This high cost may limit the potential customer base in India, where the average income is significantly lower than in developed nations

• Public Perception and Ethical Considerations:Space tourism is often seen as an elitist activity, raising debates about resource allocation and social priorities. Concerns on the ethics of spending vast sums on space travel while urgent issues like poverty and healthcare remain pressing challenges in India.

• International Competition: Competing with established players like SpaceX and Blue Origin is challenging. 

• For example, SpaceX has a significant head start with its reusable rocket technology, which reduces costs and makes space tourism more viable.

• Regulatory Framework: Establishing clear regulations is essential. For example, the United States has the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation to oversee commercial space activities. India would need to develop similar regulatory bodies and frameworks.

Way Forward

• Accessibility and Affordability: Currently, space tourism is a luxury experience reserved for a select few. Moving forward, the industry needs to focus on making space travel more affordable and accessible to a wider audience. 

• Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Space tourism activities must be conducted with a focus on environmental sustainability. This includes developing low-emission launch systems, minimising space debris, and implementing regulations for responsible space exploration.
  
  

• Safety and Regulations: As the industry expands, robust safety regulations and protocols are crucial. Collaboration between space agencies, private companies, and international organisations is essential for ensuring the safety of space tourists and crew.

• Example: In response to rising space tourism, an insurance company named Battleface launched a civilian space insurance plan in late 2021. It covers accidental death and permanent disablement for space flights and stratospheric balloon rides.
  
  

• Destination Development: The future of space tourism could involve longer journeys and even space stations for extended stays. This requires further development of in-space infrastructure for accommodation, recreation, and activities.

• Example: Orbital Assembly Corp. is building the first space hotels, Pioneer Station and Voyager Station, aiming to open in 2025 and 2027, respectively. Pioneer Station will host 28 guests, while Voyager Station will feature villas, suites, a gym, restaurant, bar, and simulated gravity.
  
  

Ethical Considerations: With space tourism gaining prominence, addressing ethical concerns surrounding space exploration, resource management, and equitable access to celestial resources becomes imperative for fostering responsible and sustainable practices.

Short Takes

Karman Line:Located around 60 miles altitude, it marks the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space, where traditional planes can't fly due to thin air. This line, recognized by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.However, U.S. organisations like the FAA and NASA define space as everything above 50 miles.

The International Space Station (ISS): It is a large, modular spacecraft in low Earth orbit, assembled and maintained by five space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ISS serves as a multipurpose pressurised environment, conducting advanced scientific research in microgravity and space science.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, space tourism is a stepping stone towards a future where space exploration is more accessible. However, the industry must navigate challenges like affordability and environmental impact. By focusing on sustainable practices, fostering inter

Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
Space Computer Robotics India Space Mission Space Tourism