Hello
friends. welcome back with new post. Today our topic is more interesting. so,
without wasting much time lets dive in our topic.
Nowadays
technology became integral part of our daily routine. Science and technology
have made everything possible which might see difficult and almost impossible
in past decades. Space is also part of it. As universe is drastically
increasing; human desire to explore space is also increasing day by day. They
are trying to achieve a new milestone every day. We came across many news about
space, satellites and now space tourism added to it. There are several
organizations which are trying to make it possible on large scale. we will
mainly discuss some information regarding space tours, which has become topic
of discussion in recent days. Let’s start with basic question;
What is space tourism?
We enjoy
our vacations by visiting other countries or visiting others beautiful,
soothing places. but now you can spend your vacations in space. Space tourism
gives ability to become astronaut and experience space travel, zero gravity and
more thrilling experience.
When space tourism was started?
In
earlier days, nearly 2001; Government owned vehicles like Russian Soyuz
spacecraft with international space station had started the space tourism. The
first space tourist was American businessman Dennis Tito travelled in April
2001. He has travelled through Russian Soyuz spacecraft and spent 8 days at
international space station. During period 2001 to 2009 seven space tourists
made eight space tours. Later this program halted in 2010.
Let’s first understand the concept of Karman line
(edge of space):
Karman
line is an internationally recognized boundary between earth atmosphere and
outer space. And it is about 62miles (100km) above sea level. It is set by
Federation Aeronautics International (FAI). FAI is international record keeping
body for aeronautics.
Depending
upon the Karman line; there are majorly two types of space flights; orbital and
suborbital.
Types of space tour:
- Orbital
- Suborbital
- Lunar
Let’s
discuss one by one:
Orbital :
Speed
matters every time with orbital and suborbital space tourism. In orbital space
tourism; the spacecraft must travel with orbital velocity. Orbital velocity
means the required velocity to stay in earth’s orbit. Till date orbital space
tourism is only performed by Roscosmos.
Private
companies like SpaceX are trying to achieve orbital space tours. SpaceX Maybe
give you chance to visit International space station.
You can
experience zero gravity for more time according to your space tour duration.
The
arbitrary Karman line is nearly 100 km above earth. And in orbital tours you
travel beyond Karman line. And to orbit earth; space vehicle must travel with
28000km/h. So, its technically complex and expensive.
Suborbital:
In
suborbital space flights the speed is less than orbital space flights. It
requires less speed as compared to orbital flights. In suborbital space tours
you can experience zero gravity for limited time nearly 5 to 6 minutes. Because
in suborbital tours you travel at an edge of Karman line.
It flies
speed about 6000km/h. It flies up to certain height and then returned to earth
once the engine shut off following trajectories. Blue origin, virgin galactic
has achieved the suborbital space tours successfully.
You did
not need to go very hard astronaut like months of training during suborbital
space tours. You can able to travel with 2,3days training.
we will
discuss in detail about blue origin and virgin galactic in upcoming posts.
Lunar space tour:
It is
actually tour towards the moon. It has three types circumlunar flyby, lunar
orbit, lunar landing.
It will
be possible in future days if moon is available for public.
Can the common man do space tour?
The era
of space tours is started in recent years. In today’s time its only rich man
game. The tickets are very high which are out of money for a common man.
It takes
millions of US dollars for one trip. As we have discussed the first space
tourist Dennis Tito spent about 20 million US dollar for a space tour. The
rates are so high because of training as well as fuel. Because it needs lots of
fuel to lift a spacecraft against the gravity of earth. Space tours will never
cheaper until we rely on the chemical propulsion to lift spacecraft.
But in
future if the technology develops new methods for take-off, the rates may fall.
And common man will also get opportunity to explore space.
So, it’s
enough for today. In upcoming posts, we will discuss about the organizations
which provides this thrilling experience (space tour).
Don’t
forget to share.😊