Space Tourism
Grab your space suits, you can tour space!
Introduction
While something as amazing as space tourism seems like future technology, it's really not! Seven people have already stayed in outer space! Tourists can stay in low orbit space hotels for a couple of days. Soon, you and your family could be staying in a space hotel, too.
What is space tourism?
Space tourism is basically like touring any other place, except you're not on earth. Tourists can stay in hotels and experience the no gravity life for a few days. You can look at the stars and moon and best of all, earth from space!
How much does it cost to tour space?
Currently, it costs about 20-50 million dollars. Scientists and astronomers are trying to find ways to make touring space cheaper. Machines like space elevators are being designed and can drastically reduce the cost of space travel.
Can you tell me a bit more about space hotels?
Space hotels are pretty self explanatory, they are hotels in space. Space hotels are in low orbit around earth to insure a quick trip back and less time for problems to occur. Hilton, a hotel chain, plans to build Hilton Lunar, which will be located on the moon. Hilton also plans to build Hilton Orbital, which will be in low orbit around earth. If you decide to go to space and stay in a space hotel, it's probably not going to be anything like the Hyatt until 2020 or so.
Do you have to wear a space suit?
I have seen photos of people with a space suit and some photos of people without one. In the photograph below, the man on the left wearing red does not have a space suit on. The case may be that you have to wear special equipment but not a space suit.
How long does it take to travel just above the atmosphere?
The length it takes to travel above the atmosphere depends on two factors, the space shuttle you are in, and the speed you are going at. Your arrival time can vary from minutes to hours.
What would you travel in?
If you were to travel to space right now, you would be traveling in a small space shuttle. In the future, you might travel there in a special plane or a space elevator.
Who is the first space tourist?
On April 28, 2001, a man named Dennis Tito became the world's first space tourist. Tito was born on August 8, 1940. He was born in Queens, New York and later moved to California. Tito became a billionaire and was able to afford to be the world's first space tourist.
Are there any attractions for tourists to see?
Other than space itself there are no attractions in space, yet. An article said an orbiting football stadium might be built sometime around 2020, so it will be a while before you hear about it or any similar attractions.
Bibliography
http://callisto.ggsrv.com/imgsrv/FastFetch/UBER1/spsc_04_img0450
http://callisto.ggsrv.com/imgsrv/FastFetch/UBER1/spsc_04_img0451
http://callisto.ggsrv.com/imgsrv/FastFetch/UBER1/spsc_0000_0004_0_img0421
http://callisto.ggsrv.com/imgsrv/FastFetch/UBER1/spsc_0000_0004_0_img0422
http://callisto.ggsrv.com/imgsrv/FastFetch/UBER1/spsc_04_img0501
http://callisto.ggsrv.com/imgsrv/FastFetch/UBER1/spsc_01_img0118