Step by step, the space tourism industry is gaining ground. In 2008 alone, there have been announcements from Virgin Galactic, XCOR aerospace, and Rocket Racing League, and the X PRIZE Foundation and Google related to private space travel efforts. These pioneers are taking our credibility to the next level. Just take a look at these three new adventurers:
Esther Dyson, an famous investor the early PC computer industry, has been moving her efforts toward new frontiers. Her aerospace investments include not only Space Adventures, but also XCOR Aerospace, Airship Ventures, Coastal Technologies Group and Icon Aircraft. She sees the viability of private space travel ventures. On October 7, she announced she is training to be a backup cosmonaut for Charles Simonyi, who is preparing for his SECOND mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in spring 2009.
Charles Simonyi, creator of the Microsoft Word software program, is returning to Star City to fly again. “Having a repeat orbital client demonstrates to the world that participating in a space mission is truly a magnificent and awe-inspiring experience. It is also an excellent example that the marketplace is even larger than previously anticipated because of the potential occurrence of clients who fly on multiple occasions,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures. And a major boost for space tourism.
Finally,
Richard Garriott, creator of the
Ultima video games, has launched off on his own space adventure on October 12! The son of a NASA Apollo Skylab astronaut, he has always been fascinated by space travel. To walk in his father’s shoes is a fantastic accomplishment.
