Article on space tourism
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Space tourism is another niche segment of the aviation industry that seeks to give tourists the ability to become astronauts and experience space travel for recreational, leisure, or business purposes. Since space tourism is extremely expensive, it is a case of a very small segment of consumers that are able and willing to purchase a space experience. There are several options for space tourists. For example, Crouch et al. (2009) investigate the choice behaviour between four types of space tourism: high altitude jet fighter flights, atmospheric zero-gravity flights, short-duration suborbital flights, and longer duration orbital trips into space. Reddy et al. (2012) find the following motivational factors behind space tourism (in order of importance): vision of earth from space, weightlessness, high speed experience, unusual experience, and scientific contribution. Currently, only high-altitude jet fighter flights and atmospheric zero-gravity flights are commercially available to tourists in the space tourism sector. Accordingly, this section provides an example of each, whilst the potential for suborbital and longer duration orbital trips into space are discussed later in this chapter.
Case Study 17.3 Examples of Space Tourism
MiG-29 Edge of Space Flight
One current option for space tourists is to be taken up into the stratosphere in a supersonic fighter jet (see MiGFlug, 2017a). MiGFlug acts as a sales agent for this unique space tourism activity, which usually involves reaching an altitude of 20–22 km. At such an altitude, the curvature of the earth can be seen, the sky is dark, and it is possible to see into space. As part of this space travel experience, tourists are also given an opportunity to control the aircraft and there are a number of aerobatic manoeuvres that are performed by an experienced pilot. This operation is based out of Russia. The Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum is a Russian military fighter jet that allows for rates of climb of 330 m/s and a top speed of Mach 2.25 (2390 km/h). MiGFlug sells three different services in this aircraft. For €12,500 a passenger can enjoy a 25-min flight featuring a number of aerobatic manoeuvres but without supersonic flight. For €14,500 a passenger can enjoy a 45-min flight that includes higher aerobatics and supersonic flight. The ‘Edge of Space’ flight includes aerobatics, supersonic flight, and the experience of being taken up into the stratosphere and is sold for €17,500.
The Weightless Experience
The Zero Gravity Corporation offers zero gravity experiences in the United States (see Zero Gravity Corporation, 2017). This unique tourism activity involves using a specially modified Boeing 727 where trained pilots perform aerobatic manoeuvres known as parabolas. The company promises to provide an opportunity for ‘true weightlessness’ without going to space. MiGFlug also acts as a sales agent for a similar experience on an Ilyushin IL-76 MDK aircraft in Russia (see MiGFlug, 2017b). In both instances, the aircraft are modified with padded cabins to prevent injuries during weightless flights.
The Zero Gravity Corporation sells its ZERO-G Experience®, which includes 15 parabolic manoeuvres that each provides roughly 20–30 s of weightlessness for US$4950 + 5% in tax. This package also includes ZERO-G merchandise, pre and post flight catering, photos, videos, and a certificate of weightless completion. The corporation also offers a nonflyer package for those who only want to participate in the pre and post flight activities, selling for US$195.
MiGFlug offers a package that includes more than just the weightless experience. The day before the flight, passengers undergo a medical checkup at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. Passengers will also receive a guided tour of Star City, which includes viewing the world’s largest centrifuge, the Hydrolab (where cosmonauts train to move in space suits) and a 1:1 scale replica of the Mir space station (operated by the Soviet Union and then Russia between 1986 and 2001). On the day of the flight, a bus takes passengers along with a crew of cosmonauts, pilots, and physicians across the Chkalovsky airfield to the IL-76 MDK, where the weightless experience takes place. MiGFlug sells this package for €4900 for a single person, or the whole aircraft can be booked for €49,000, allowing for a group of up to 12 people.
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