Mig-25 flight

Zhukovsky Airbase, May 2005

• 25,000 metres

• Mach 2.4

• 1,560 mph

Agenda

The first and second space races

The emerging paradigm

Why go?

Who wants to go?

The space industry and the tourism industry

The development of space tourism

Some personal experiences

The challenges

Summary

Reducing costs

• reusability

• low numbers of turn-round staff (<<10)

• design for low cost

Attention to cost structures is not traditionally part of space engineering & development

Challenges - costs

Safety – real and perceived

• launch

• re-entry

• on-orbit

• life support

• radiation

Different flight modes have different safety levels eg air launched safer than ground launched?

Can we reach commercial airliner safety levels?

Perceptions of risk

Challenges - safety

Certification – vehicle & crew

• FAA being supportive but still issues to be resolved

• certifying an airliner requires:

• hundreds of flight hours

• static aircraft tested to near-destruction

• (e.g. A380 programme will use 4 aircraft)

• ratings for Pilots/Engineers

Challenges - certification

Insurance

• insurance companies require experience base

• high net-worth individuals will have issues

• legal status of waivers

Challenges – insurance

Technology

• thermal protection

• safety

• reusability

• environmental impact

Challenges - technology

Agenda

The first and second space races

The emerging paradigm

Why go?

Who wants to go?

The space industry and the tourism industry

The development of space tourism

Some personal experiences

The challenges

Summary

Summary

Space tourism:

• Is possible for ordinary people

• Has a huge market

• Will be a major industry of the 21st century

• Will create jobs for many of you

• Will leave Government space programmes behind

• Is the key to low cost access to space

• Is nearer than you think!

Thank you