Do you really want to go to space with the kind of person who can afford it?
Theyve sold plenty, but will you or I ever end up in orbit?
And should we even consider it, even if it gets cheaper?
Virgin Galactic
“The cost of space travel is dropping quickly for hardware and it will for tourism as well.
Once we have orbital facilities, it will drop even further.
“At the beginning of the jet age, only the rich could afford the ride.
Virgin Galactic
The computer revolution was limited to those with money or those willing to hack a computer together.”
Expensive in Every Way
There are two big barriers to space tourism.
The second, way more important problem, is environmental.
Virgin Galactic plans, eventually, to run around400 flights per yearfor wealthy space tourists.
“The environmental impact of these first tourist flights will be higher than normal.
All new things take longer and have more of an impact than expected,” says Latrell.
“Then we get smarter.
We streamline processes, develop new ways of doing things, and slowly reduce costs and environmental impact.”
And here, trips are pure tourism.
At least some of the passengers on long-haul flights have less frivolous reasons for traveling.
Especially as it will only ever be available to zillionaires.
Lets assume they wont drop any extra money on taxes, or otherwise help narrow the wealth gap.
“Or maybe an extravagant trip for two to a remote island,” says Latrell.
“I hear some places can charge $10k a night for a room.”
Bonus points if you choose Virgin GalacticsRichard Bransons Necker Islandas your destination.
Lets hope space tourism doesnt take off as a growing concern.
