The final shuttle launch last week seemed to mark the end of the US’s thrust into space. But how are the private companies doing that want to continue exploration there with tourists?
Private, nongovernmental entities have been developing and testing spaceflight technology for years, but have been overshadowed by NASA.
“Just as nations once raced to orbit our planet and land on the moon, businesses will now race toward commercial space travel, competing to send supplies, astronauts, and tourists out of this world,” writes Reuters.
Five companies who will guide future tourists into space:
- Virgin Galactic under the leadership of Richard Branson is moving towards suborbital tourist flights. Travelers will spend four weightless minutes in space before returning to earth. Flights should start next year at a cost of US$200,000.
- The California-based Space X became the first company to launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft in December of last year. It’s $300 million Dragon vehicle could be ready for manned flights within two years.
- The Virginia-based Orbital Sciences contracted with NASA to deliver supplies to the International Space Station. It is planning a small manned spacecraft that in the future will have passengers.
- Bigelow Aerospace specializes in inflatable, live-in spacecraft. It has launched two small prototypes. It plans to send passengers into space in 2014.
- Blue Origin (founded in 2004 by Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder) has partnered with NASA on several projects in the past. The company expects to launch unmanned flights later this year and manned flights by the end of 2012.
By David Wilkening
