Every time we write that Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin claim to be closer to space tourism, someone rolls their eyes. Of course, more and more people are going into space, but do you know them? It's not me or you. For those who do not have millions in their account, but as a child wanted to be astronauts (like me), the chance to get into space still seems like a pipe dream. But how small is it? Let's see how people like you and me can get into space and how long we will have to wait for this.
How to get into space?
First, we need to start putting more people into space.
Space tourism companies are known for their lack of punctuality. Virgin Galactic finally went into space for the first time in 2018 after several years of delayed timing. SpaceX scrapped a plan to get two people to the moon aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket by the end of 2018 in order to land tourists on the Starship (formerly known as the BFR).
But everything goes to the fact that the stars are ready for space tourism (there is a pun). Blue Origin has already tested its tourist rocket ten times and plans to take people into space by the end of this year. Virgin Galactic will conduct even more test flights this year and plans to launch company co-founder Richard Branson into space by mid-2019 to begin commercial flights. SpaceX's first solvent tourist named: Japanese billionaire entrepreneur Yusaku Meizawa. In fact, it looks like individuals will soon be able to get into space - given the money.
How much does it cost to get into space?
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Tourists have traveled to space on Russian rockets since the early 2000s, but the price of the trip ranged from $ 20 million to $ 40 million. Virgin Galactic flights seem almost free by comparison. The company has already formed a queue of 700 people who are ready to pay 200-250 thousand dollars for a space flight. True, we have not yet heard how much a ticket from SpaceX or Blue Origin will cost.
What must happen for these tickets to be within the limits allowed by my wallet? Yes, all the first tourists will be rich, but air travel started the same way - it was risky and expensive. Don't expect costs to drop as quickly as on airline flights, since the demand for space travel isn't all that high. Many are not interested at all in flying into space. But the downward trend in cost is already outlined.
From a financial point of view, lowering prices is in the interest of these space companies. “They can do two things to get money. The first is pre-sale tickets,”says aeronautics and astronautics researcher Markus Gerster of MIT. “The second is to start with higher prices, say $ 2 million, and sell to those willing to pay. When everyone has left, you cut prices. The more competitors appear on the market, the lower the prices will be.
So, here are your options for getting into space as soon as possible:
Let them pay for you
The nonprofit Space for Humanity claims to offer free trips to space for people who would normally not be able to go there. The organization hopes that bringing more diversity to space travel will create role models for people around the world and spread the hype about space among new groups. Although they have not disclosed the source of their funding, the organization's chief executive Rachel Lyons says their immediate plans are to send six to eight people off Earth over the next two years. And they are not shy about expressions. Lyons says Space for Humanity "intends to become the world's most active ticket purchaser." How do you get one of these slots? Apply online. Try it.
Become a famous artist
Yes, this option is quite niche, but the first SpaceX client bought the entire ship, not just one seat, and gave it to others for free. He is looking for artists who can share his experience. If other pioneers also take along those who cannot afford a ticket, it will help make access to space easier for everyone.
Get into a space company
Before Blue Origin sends paying customers into space, it will deploy its employees there, so working for the company will give you a free ride.
Become a state astronauts
Why not take the traditional route? If you really love space, it’s probably cheaper to get the degree required to become an astronaut candidate than to buy a ticket.
Pay
You can go to one of the well-known companies and pay more, or you can go to a little-known company and pay $ 100,000. The less expensive options generally didn't pay off. XCOR, which offered the cheapest tickets to space, went bankrupt, causing hundreds of people to lose their $ 100,000 and never get closer to space. Some alternative providers like WorldView have shelved their travel plans in favor of more lucrative stories.
Wait for the price to drop
Yes, this is not the best option, but practical. If you can't afford the flight right now, come back in five years (you might be able to save some money). Gerster estimates that once the company flies around 1,000 flights with at least five passengers, it could cut prices in half. Even though it's still expensive, the 50 percent discount doesn't hurt anyone. Plus, all rich people are likely to fly once in a lifetime. A whole generation will have to wait for new tourists.
