“Want to swing by outer space next weekend?” Within two years, such a proposal might not cause a bewildered response or a condescending smile. Travel experts are confident that by 2023, there will be an increased demand throughout the world for flights into space.
Moreover, these flights won’t be limited to astronauts-researchers, as space tourists will become a prevalent phenomenon. Experts expand are doubling down on their predictions and believe that the first space destination in the next two years will be Earth’s loyal companion – the Moon.
Conquerors of the Moon
Conqueror or not, this is where the Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa booked his flight in a spacecraft owned by SpaceX. Aside from Yusaku, eight crew members and two flight control members will also take part in the journey. The future space tourist from the Land of the Rising Sun has also invited painters to go with him. Mr. Maezawa is convinced that no camera can replace the work of a professional artist.
When the project was presented, Maezawa said that he simply “could not miss the opportunity to see the moon up close. At the same time, I didn’t want to keep such a fantastic experience to myself. These artists will be asked to create something after they return to Earth, and these masterpieces will inspire us all.”
It is highly symbolic that the Yusaku team plans to spend exactly seven days on the Moon – the same amount of time that the Lord spent on creating the Earth. Who knows, perhaps Maezawa will be able to open a new world for earthlings?
Goodwill Astronauts
Dennis Tito, an American entrepreneur with Italian roots, became the civilian version of “Yuri Gagarin” that opened the window to space for Europe. A pioneer in the travel world, he served as CEO of the US investment firm Wilshire Associates. His earnings allowed Tito to shell out a whopping $20 million to visit the ISS. Tito’s wealth couldn’t save him from a small incident, however, as everyone is equally at the mercy of zero gravity in space, regardless of how much their ticket cost. There are no VIP cabins in space (yet). While pushing himself off the floor, Tito hit his head on the ship’s hatch. Fortunately, he did not face any serious consequences to his health. Fun fact – Dennis also went on his space trip in April, just like the first Soviet astronaut Gagarin. This significant event took place on April 28, 2001. The journey to the new frontier was organized by an alliance of Roscosmos and Space Adventures. Tito spent six days in zero gravity, after which he landed safely in Kazakhstan. Later he said that his dream had finally come true – a dream which Tito had been waiting to carry out for nearly forty years. The flight granted him the sensation of complete fulfillment, as well as a unique and unforgettable experience.
Another space traveler, the founder of Intentional Software, Charles Simonyi, flew into space twice – once in 2007 and again in 2009. The joyride cost him a cool $70 million, but what is money compared to being closer to the stars than any other human being?
The Cosmic Question – Cost
Several more entrepreneurs are ready to invest and enter the “space tourism” business. One such entrepreneur is billionaire Richard Branson, the owner of the Virgin Group Ltd., who is already trying to control the pricing policy for travel to the cosmos. Branson offers “economy class” flights and tickets which have already sold out for the next few years in advance. The commercial offer includes a fifteen-minute flight to an altitude of one hundred kilometers and the experience of zero gravity for three minutes. In total, staying aboard the billionaire’s SpaceShipTwo will take about two and a half hours and will cost a measly $25,000.
In turn, Space Adventures is preparing to launch its eighth tourist to the ISS after a hiatus of several years. According to some reports, the next space traveler is an Arab sheik who has is ready to hand over about forty million dollars for a week’s vacation in orbit. I wonder if he’ll take a harem with him? If so, the spectacle will be simply out of this world!
As for the common folk, a more affordable travel option available is available – stratospheric flights. The cost of a minute’s stay in zero gravity costs only $7,000. It’s an excellent opportunity to give a star to your girlfriend, instead of just talking about it.
