Open space - The Engineer

By Web Editor, The Engineer, Posted 07/13/09

Link: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/312243/Open+space.htm

"There is a potentially potent force driving the development of space technology. One with a huge budget, an imagination unbridled by political red tape and the desire to fulfill a lifelong ambition whatever the cost: the space tourist. Space tourism, or private space exploration, is still an exceptionally new industry. Its nascent moment came in 2001 when US multi-millionaire Dennis Tito paid fledgling space tourism company Space Adventures around $20m (£12m) to be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. Five other millionaires have followed in his footsteps, most recently UK-born video-game developer Richard Garriot, who spent 10 days aboard the ISS at a reported cost of $30m. Considering the huge sums flying about, it is tempting to wonder what relevance these voyages could have to the rest of us. However, many believe that the dreams of this handful of millionaires have paved the way for a new generation of space technology that could put not just tourists but a host of scientific payloads into orbit at a fraction of today's costs." Garriott's trip is stimulating interesting discussions in the UK regarding space commerce.  Thanks to Doug Messien of Parabolic Arc for this good find.