Space

1) Historical background: When did the idea of "space tourism" begin? How has it developed? What have been the hurdles and accomplishments? Start in the 1960's - present day.

Space tourism began back in the 1980’s. This was not technically called ‘space tourism,’ at the time. This was a way for the Soviet Union to broaden its pool of cosmonauts. This program was given the name Interkosmos and included cosmonauts from the Warsaw Pact countries. These cosmonauts were fully trained but since they were not Russian or United States employees this gave them the title of space tourist. The United States had a similar program. The position of ‘payload specialist,’ was given to representatives of companies that had a specific payload on that mission. As NASA gained more traction with the shuttle program they decided to allow citizens without scientific or governmental roles to fly. Christa McAuliffe was the first teacher in space, aboard the doomed Challenger shuttle. NASA expected two-three citizens would be able to travel per year. This program was put on haul for 16 years as McAuliffe’s shuttle disengaged on re-entry. Then in 2003, Miles O’Brian was chosen for the first journalist in space. This was canceled in the wake of the Columbia disaster in 2003.

2) Give a brief summary of the rules and regulations that currently govern the commercial space industry. When and why were they developed? Start with the first rules developed in the 1980s. Do you feel that they are appropriate or that the need to be more or less restrictive?

The rules and regulations that govern the commercial space industry are located in Title 14, Volume 4, Chapter 3, Part 400-460.53. Part 461-1199 are reserved for future use. In 1984 congress passed the Commercial Space Launch Act, which facilitated the private enterprise of commercial space and technology. This act let private companies use the launch sites and equipment from the government to help cut the cost for the government. I feel as if there isn’t much in the current FARs. I believe that over time and as commercial space industry grows (just like the aviation industry) more regulations will come out. But just like the aviation industry many of the regulations were made after tragedies.

3) Where do you see space tourism headed and in what time frame? I.e., do you think it will be accessible to the general public, not unlike the commercial airline industry? Do you think it will develop into a means of transportation or do you think that it will perpetually exists as a one-time, bucket list adventure? Why?

I see the space tourism kick headed towards a potential flight to space within the next 10 years (five years because I think it can be done). I do not believe space tourism will be available to the general public for many years. This is due to the high operating cost of a rocket. For example, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket cost $54 million alone (Fernholz, 2013). This is not a lot compared to a Boeing 777 ($320 million) but there’s over 1500 of them out there. There is only a couple Falcon 9 rockets. The Falcon 9 can also be delayed for days on end. For example, a Falcon 9 rocket carrying a Spanish communications satellite was supposed to launch on 2/25/18 and has been delayed till 3/1/18 to recheck systems. (Clark, 2018) It could also be delayed even longer as another rocket has been scheduled for the same day and has priority over the SpaceX launch. So as a plane is delayed an hour cost in thousands of dollars. The Falcon 9 sits for days costing millions of dollars in delays.

I believe that one day space travel will be accessible to the general public. Much like the aviation industry was only available to those with money until 1976. In 1976 deregulation changed the airline industry forever. But this will not happen for the space industry for a long time, if ever.

4) What are the qualifications to work in the space tourism industry - either from the pilot or the management perspective? This may require some research, perhaps even making a phone call.

To become a pilot in the space industry (at least for NASA), you need at least a bachelor’s degree. But many astronauts had masters or even Ph.Ds. the higher the degree the better chance of being selected. If you go the bachelor’s degree route, make sure you have three years of “related, progressively responsible, professional experience,” or 1,000 jet hours of pilot-in-command time. (Howell, 2017) Along with those requirements a candidate must have 20/20 vision (naturally or corrected), blood pressure not more than 140/90 sitting, and height of 62 and 75 inches. There are also interviews during selection to determine if you are physically and mentally able to work as an astronaut.

This isn’t the end of the road yet. If chosen you still aren’t an astronaut. Next comes two years of basic training. After graduation, an astronaut is not assigned a flight right away. They are usually assigned as backup on other flights, training and more training are included in this time. Once selected for a flight, usually training is another year of simulation for the mission with crewmates.

All I have to say is, it is not easy to become any sort of pilot.

Reference

Contributor, E. H. (2017, June 7). How To Become An Astronaut. Retrieved February 25, 2018, from https://www.space.com/25786-how-to-become-an-astronaut.html

Clark, S. (2018, February 27). Atlas 5 launch on track for Thursday, SpaceX mission expected to slip. Retrieved February 27, 2018, from https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/02/27/falcon-9-atlas-5-hispasat-goes-schedule/

History.com Staff. (2010). Challenger Explosion. Retrieved February 27, 2018, from http://www.history.com/topics/challenger-disaster