Space Tourism — From Dream to Reality

Abstract

This paper is a synopsis of a student design project that was conducted by a group of International Space University Summer Session 2000 students in Valparaiso, Chile, in which current and future possibilities for space tourism were examined. The project covered the gamut of the vast number of issues and factors which must be considered when anticipating the advent of civilian space travel. Technologies examined included economical and readily available access to space, and the various modes of space tourism, to include suborbital and orbital excursions, as well as the construction and maintenance of a space facility. Life-support systems requirements as well as the medical and physical requirements of the travelers were also considered. The question of what sort of accommodation and entertainment would be desired as well as the length of time it would take for a typical excursion into orbit from initial preparations to trip execution and what, if any, follow-up activities would be required from a physiological standpoint were also addressed. Business potential was assessed, as were legal and liability aspects, human safety, risk factors, policy implications, and social and cultural expectations. This paper summarizes the results of this international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary student project.