Context: Gopi Thotakura, an Indian entrepreneur and aviator, is set to make history as the first Indian space tourist and will join five other crew members on the NS-25 mission of Blue Origin.

About Space Tourism

• Space tourism is essentially a section of the aviation sector which seeks to provide tourists with the opportunity to become astronauts and experience space travel for recreational, leisure, or business purposes.

• If the mission is successful, Thotakura would be the second Indian to go into space.

• The first one was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew to the Salyut 7 Space Station on a Soviet spacecraft in 1984.

Types

• Sub Orbital: Sub-orbital spacecraft take passengers just beyond the Kármán line — nearly 100 kilometres from earth and considered to be the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.

• The passengers get to spend a few minutes in outer space and then come back to Earth.

• Orbital: Orbital tourism, on the other hand, entails remaining in space for at least one full orbit.

• This is a major focus of governmental agencies and private space companies, all of which have the long-term goal to inhabit the moon and Mars.

Rise of Space Tourism

• According to media reports, in 2023, the space tourism market was valued at $848.28 million.

• It is expected to grow to $27,861.99 million by 2032.

• However, there are several challenges, such as high cost, and environmental concerns, that may limit the industry’s growth.

Major Players in Space Tourism

• There are now six major space companies that are arranging or planning to arrange touristic flights to space: Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Boeing, Axiom Space, and Space Perspective.

• While the first two (Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin) are focused on suborbital flights, Axiom and Boeing are working on orbital missions.

• SpaceX, in its turn, is prioritising lunar tourism in the future.

Challenges Associated with Space Tourism

• High Costs: Currently, space tourism is an expensive venture, accessible only to the wealthier sections of society.

• A passenger generally has to pay at least a million dollars to reach outer space.

• This high cost leads to social inequity and elitism, as it limits access to a privileged few.

• Safety Concerns: The weakening of bones and muscles due to lack of gravity (atrophy), potential damage to spacecraft from extreme temperatures and collisions with space debris, and health problems from extended space travel and radiation exposure are all risks associated with space tourism.

• Environmental Impact: Several studies have pointed out that space tourism may lead to environmental damage as rockets emit gaseous and solid chemicals directly into the upper atmosphere.

• Scientists worry that growing numbers of rocket flights and the rise of space tourism could harm Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to climate change.

• Legal and Regulatory Challenges: The regulatory framework for space activities is complex, with numerous international treaties and agreements governing space activities and national laws and regulations varying between countries.

• There is an urgent need to draft new treaties to regulate the space tourism industry.

• Infrastructure Limitations: Limited infrastructure for space travel and tourism is another challenge that needs to be addressed.

• As more companies invest in developing spacecraft and launch infrastructure, there will be an increased demand for engineers, technicians, pilots, and other specialised professionals.

Conclusion

• Space tourism represents a new frontier in human exploration. It not only offers the promise of space travel to ordinary people but also has the potential to drive technological innovation and inspire a new generation of explorers.

• The high cost of space travel and the potential environmental impact are significant hurdles that need to be addressed.

• Moreover, the physical and psychological effects of space travel on humans are still not fully understood.

• As we stand on the cusp of this new era, it is clear that space tourism will play a significant role in shaping the future of human space exploration.