I'm 21 and I think that would be really cool if NASA or another company could make a trip like this somewhat affordable in my lifetime?
2006-08-15 07:41:19 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, most certainly. It will be possible in the next 10-15 years and easily affordable within the 20-25 years. Or sooner.
Virgin Galactic already has plan for taking people to space at a price many people can afford.
"Virgin Galactic plans to fly 500 passengers a year at about US$200,000 each, to an altitude of over 100 km, with a total weightless time of 7 minutes."
Expect good things!
2006-08-15 08:12:36 · answer #1 · answered by B391 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it will be possible. They are already doing space flights. I got a chance to listen to a talk by the guy behind Spaceship One and it was an amazing speech. This is a whole new market and now that it has proven deemable, I think you'll start getting a lot of companies that will make the push. I think right now its around 200k for a sub-orbital flight and around 20million for a flight to the International Space Station. Don't quote me on the numbers though. You are going to see a boom in the commercial space industry and its going to open opportunities for anybody to have a chance to go to space including to the moon. For going to the moon, it may be several years later for that to happen, but I think you'll eventually see it. It won't be one of the "vacations" like going to Disney World every year or what not. It will be more like a "once in a lifetime vacations", unless you got lots of money; you'll eventually start seeing prices go down with more competition. If you don't get a chance to see it....your kids will. That is my firm belief.
2006-08-15 07:57:15 · answer #2 · answered by C_Ras 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NASA is not a company, but a government subsidized "work program" funded by taxpayers. There is no incentive for them to make it affordable, or even to cater to the average consumer.
A real independant company, or companies, is another matter. Especially if there is competition in the marketplace. Allowing the aquisition of private property in our solar system will provide a huge incentive for our economy to expand offworld. Making space travel profitable will not only allow it to pay for itself, but in the long run help bring the costs down (along with competition).
People need to stop believing that what NASA offers is the best we can possibly have.
2006-08-15 07:52:47 · answer #3 · answered by Search first before you ask it 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Technically possible, YES, affordable, well, not so sure about that....
As you might already know, you can already buy your way into space if you have a few million to spare. Of course, that's just into orbit. It'll be a while before you can stay at the lunar Holiday Inn, but I could see that within maybe 20 years, there will be a permanently manned lunar base, and therefore, if you have the money, you might be able to buy yourself a ticket. Something tells me that it might be a while before they have an indoor swimming pool and cabaret shows!
2006-08-15 07:49:53 · answer #4 · answered by Xander 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there is a good chance there will be commercial space flights to the Moon in your lifetime. They won't be cheap though.
2006-08-15 12:53:45 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the aerospace engineering industry designs have not yet been progressing in the direction of large scale passenger transport systems. Small craft for the amusement of the ultra rich will no doubt be accessible by 2060, but the linchpin is R&D into alternate fuel sources for propulsion to make it a reality.
2006-08-15 08:04:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say yes
Because there is a planned plane that will be able to take us to outerspace by 2008-2012 and a las vagas billionaire is planning to build a hotel in space ($17.9 million per week).
Its possible but expensive
2006-08-15 08:16:17 · answer #7 · answered by lekhaj5 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't expect it for another 50 years or so.
That would make me over 100 years old. So not in mine.
It is likely that it will occur in yours, but you could get hit by a falling piece of space junk and not make it past tomorrow.
2006-08-15 09:12:19 · answer #8 · answered by SPLATT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eva heard of the space elevator?? where they use our circular motion of earth's rotation to keep a station in space connected via a cable.. if dats already on the menu elevators to the moon shd b near too.. mayb not flights but elevators. yeps, cant find any url regarding de space elevator for refrence though
2006-08-15 08:03:09 · answer #9 · answered by ThoughTs 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Next time when the moon rockets are going to the moon the should use very good cameras for the journey.
2006-08-15 07:53:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋