2007-10-23 12:47:30 · 8 answers · asked by religionisforboosers 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
It depends on what you mean by affordable. Current sub-orbital tickets are being set at $200,000. However, if you talk to people working on private spaceflight, most expect the price to dropto $50,000, or even $10,000, within 5-15 years. The next question is, is that affordable for a lot of people? The short answer is, its definatly enough for a serious market.
Raising that to orbital will be more difficult, but I believe it is entirely doable.
2007-10-23 17:36:20 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost of most things (cars, watches, etc) are based on the energy they require to make.
The energy needs for a launch into space are very high, and more importantly, the energy has to be very highly directed, and delivered in a relatively short time.
This complexity basically excludes a "cheap" option for the moment, although mass produced Russian rockets are actually pretty cheap, few 100K for approximately two people into orbit.
Outside of that someone needs to build a "space elevator".
2007-10-23 13:23:28 · answer #2 · answered by Andrew W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll take years for it to become less in value. It's a once in a lifetime experience and I'm sure almost everyone wouldn't mid going into space. So you'll get people who are crazy enough or are able to pay for it and they'll make lots of money.
2007-10-23 14:52:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wome tourists have already been in space at a fare of about $20,000,000 per trip.It was affordable to them. If you are not rich, you won't be able to go.
2007-10-23 12:53:31 · answer #4 · answered by Renaissance Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Space travel may get less expensive over time, although it has yet to get any less expensive. But it is never going to be really cheap.
2007-10-23 12:50:24 · answer #5 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Affordable? For who? Billionaires? We got that already. Everyone else? Probably not.
2007-10-23 12:54:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so, but I think it will be a battle to get there (and there won't be anywhere to go for over a century). I think that other countries will be doing it first (like Russia sending that Backstreet Boy) and America will try to "keep it sacred" by only allowing NASA astronauts.
2007-10-23 12:51:29 · answer #7 · answered by smartsassysabrina 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes, engineers are already speculating new and cheap ways of getting to space
there is also someone that dreams of starting a business that lets people sky dive from early space
its true, i read it in pop sci magazines
2007-10-23 14:09:04 · answer #8 · answered by filldwth? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋