Commerical Space Industry

Space tourism has been a thought of many for a long period of time. However making it a reality has been less than easy. When you think of what is trying to be accomplished it is quite a task, and that only certain companies and agencies have reached space for real business, like the international space station. On April 28, 2001 that all changed. American businessman Dennis Tito bought himself a space flight. In which he hopped on a Russian spacecraft and went up to the international space station (Wall, 2011). This became the first official space tourist to outer space without the objections of NASA and other programs. According to the article by Wall there has been at least 6 more space tourists between 2001 and 2011 who were supported by NASA one of the main hurdles for Tito (Wall,2011). Now Private companies have begun the process to offer space flights for the public, most notably Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic and SpaceX (Wall, 2011).

 

Mostly the commercial space industry is unregulated and there not many rules in place that have to be followed. According to article on RT.com, space regulation in United States will not happen until 2023 because of bill HR 2262 which was signed into law by President Obama (Commercial Space). Therefore would expect to see regulations coming out around this year. Mostly I think that regulations are not in place because technology is advancing the industry very fast, and we may be years away before this type of space flight is a reality. Furthermore when the regulations do come out I would think that they would be really strict, and may even model the commercial aviation industry.

 

Space tourism is here to stay that is for sure. I do see the possibility of space tourism actually becoming a reality but in the future many years away. The process seems to be a very slow one but the two main companies are remaining persistent to make commercial space travel a thing. However it is going to be very expensive to take one of these trips which goes to think that they have to make this type of travel more affordable. The bigger thoughts that I had was even if commercial space travel is around and working, why would we use it? Just because it is cool to go into space? Therefore I would think that mostly it would be a bucket list type of event, because what is really the purpose of visiting space if you are not working?

 

To work in the space tourism industry is not an easy thing, and usually not just anyone can try and do the job. When looking at the Virgin Galactic website there are lots of jobs that they are hiring for in many different locations. Most all of them require some sort of degree in aerospace and management business degrees. To become an astronaut with NASA for example you must have “Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in engineering, biological science, physical science, or mathematics. Degree must be followed by at least three years of related, progressively responsible, professional experience. An advanced degree is desirable and may be substituted for part or all of the experience. (Requirements)”  According to the NASA website you must also be able to pass  and  space physical, measuring vision and blood pressure, an you must be between the height of 62 and 75 inches (requirements).A candidate must also have 1,000 hours of being pilot in command of a jet aircraft (requirements). I would assume when the space tourism industry starts really hiring new pilots they would follow the same standards.

 

 

Resources

 

Commercial space industry avoids regulation until 2023 once Obama signs new bill. (2015, November 17). Retrieved from, https://www.rt.com/usa/322375-commercial-space-industry-faa-regulation/

 

Requirements. (2004, January 29). Retrieved from, http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/postsecondary/features/F_Astronaut_Requirements.html

 

Wall, M. (2001, April 27). First Space Tourist: How a U.S. Millionaire Bought a Ticket to Orbit. Retrieved from, http://www.space.com/11492-space-tourism-pioneer-dennis