When will the space craft industrial revolution begin?
2006-10-21 07:03:21 · 11 answers · asked by strings 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Hi. Virgin Galactic : http://www.virgingalactic.com/ is booking seats now. The craft itself would be too expensive to own and operate by most of us.
2006-10-21 07:05:30 · answer #1 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's already begun. People are arguing furiously about whether or not "space tourism" is an adequate business to get commercial manned spaceflight to orbit.
This means, of course, no one is debating whether or not commercial manned spaceflight is possible, any longer. Scratch one problem.
That problem was the "giggle factor." Burt Rutan showed that you don't need political patronage to put people onto a suborbital trajectory.
And if a "suborbital cargo craft" doesn't seem significant, think about how eager FedEx would be to get one that can hop halfway around the world in an hour or so...
Or maybe it won't work that way. But that's a new industry for you; two dozen ideas lay smoking in the dust for every one that makes it.
Another good sign is that NASA has been looking to the private sector in their COTS (Commerical Orbital Transportation Services) program, spending $500 million (about half of *one* Shuttle flight) to develop a private space flight cargo replenishment service to the International Space Station.
They've also been doing encouraging work by backing the "Centennial Challenges," sponsoring competitions to develop technologies NASA thinks they'll need down the road.
It really is too early to tell what an "economy class space craft" will run you in the future; but, keep in mind that a ticket from Los Angeles to Sydney, Australia will set you back about $2,300 US dollars.
Why is this important?
Because it takes the same amount of fuel per kilogram to fly that kilogram to Syndey from LAX, as it does to lift that kilogram to orbit. The engineering is uniquely difficult, never think otherwise; but it is not impossible.
After all, could our grandparents imagine a world where you could book an international flight over half the world - and go on that flight the same day?
2006-10-21 15:24:39 · answer #2 · answered by wm_omnibus 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately there is no way to actually predict the future. There are only guesses.
Although, as per reading the previous posters they have nice guesses on how much a 'ticket' on a 'economy class space flight' would be. An actual 'economy class space craft' would run into the millions.. If not tens of millions. Still, can't predict. sorry.
2006-10-21 07:12:40 · answer #3 · answered by xwmstormx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When will the US realize the importance of education NOW? How can you expect a "space craft industrial revolution" when half of the countries schools are producing children that are as dumb as a box of rocks. In some cases the rocks have the upper hand.
2006-10-21 07:15:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you are crazy, but you could contact Sir Richard Branson,
he is a nice guy and is running the show, but I don‘t think even
he knows at present.
2006-10-21 07:13:04 · answer #5 · answered by Ricky 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
£50 and it begins two weeks on Tuesday
2006-10-21 07:05:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
more than you can afford. I suggest a chepaer way to on that flight would be to become an air host/hostess
2006-10-21 09:06:21 · answer #7 · answered by mehboobahmad 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
see
2006-10-21 10:36:42 · answer #8 · answered by kiekie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me consult my crystal ball...geeze like we are really going to know that now.
2006-10-21 07:11:34 · answer #9 · answered by miamac49616 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will be in order of £500.000, without iPod player, aircon, tomtom and all that shite...
2006-10-21 07:06:08 · answer #10 · answered by Hacker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋