Space Tourism

by Van Pelt, Michel

• ISBN13: 9780387402130
• ISBN10: 0387402136
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-06-30
• Publisher: Copernicus Books

Summary

Many scientific papers and popular articles have been written on the topic of space tourism, describing everything from expected market sizes to the rules of 3-dimensional microgravity football. But what would it actually feel like to be a tourist in space, to be hurled into orbit on top of a controlled explosion, to float around in a spacecraft, and to be able to look down on your hometown from above the atmosphere? Space tourism is not science fiction anymore, Michel van Pelt tells us, but merely a logical step in the evolution of space flight. Space is about to be opened up to more and more people, and the drive behind this is one of the most powerful economic forces: tourism. Van Pelt describes what recreational space travel might look like, and explains the required space technology, the medical issues, astronaut training, and the possibilities of holidays to destinations far, far away. This is a book for everyone who has ever dreamed of traveling to space: a dream which, according to van Pelt, may not be so far from becoming a reality.

Author Biography

Michel van Pelt is involved in studies on future reusable spaceplanes, vehicles envisioned to be used for future space tourism businesses.

Table of Contents

PREFACE	xi
INTRODUCTION	1	(10)
CHAPTER 1: BEFORE THE FLIGHT	11	(4)
The Experience Begins	12	(3)
CHAPTER 2: SELECTION FOR SPACEFLIGHT	15	(32)
When Can You Go?	28	(9)
Safety First	37	(5)
Radiation	42	(2)
Back in the Atmosphere	44	(1)
Landing	45	(2)
CHAPTER 3: GETTING READY	47	(22)
Safety	49	(4)
Spaceflight Theory	53	(1)
Geography	53	(1)
Medical Issues	54	(3)
The Third Day	57	(5)
EVA Training	62	(2)
Centrifuge and Water Landing Survival	64	(5)
CHAPTER 4: ASTRONAUTS AT SCHOOL	69	(14)
Training Program	71	(2)
Preparing the Spacecraft	73	(10)
CHAPTER 5: LAUNCH	83	(8)
CHAPTER 6: THE SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT	91	(30)
Making it Affordable	99	(3)
The Development of Spaceplanes	102	(5)
Reusability	107	(5)
Financing the Future	112	(2)
Nuclear Rockets, Laser Craft and Space Elevators	114	(7)
CHAPTER 7: IN ORBIT	121	(18)
Earth Orbit	123	(3)
Activities in Microgravity	126	(5)
The "Freedom Flyer"	131	(4)
Going Outside	135	(4)
CHAPTER 8: SPACE STATIONS: GIANT CANS AND WHEELS IN THE SKY	139	(26)
Hotels in Space?	145	(2)
Checking in at a 2040+ space hotel	147	(2)
Microgravity Sports and Recreation	149	(3)
Space Loving	152	(2)
Space Food	154	(5)
Sweet Dreams	159	(3)
Pets in Space	162	(3)
CHAPTER 9: THE END OF THE TOUR	165	(6)
CHAPTER 10: RETURNING FROM SPACE	171	(10)
Rough Landings	171	(4)
Spacediving	175	(2)
Putting Your Feet Back on the Ground	177	(2)
Souvenirs	179	(2)
CHAPTER 11: TO THE MOON, MARS AND BEYOND	181	(20)
Fly Me to the Moon	182	(2)
Lunar activities	184	(3)
Reaching the moonbase	187	(2)
Mars Vacation	189	(3)
Space Colonies	192	(1)
More Distant Worlds	193	(1)
Mercury	193	(1)
Venus	194	(1)
The giant planets and Pluto	194	(1)
Asteroids and comets	195	(1)
The constraints of distance	196	(1)
At the Speed of Light	196	(5)
CHAPTER 12: THE ROAD AHEAD	201	(6)
Cost and Safety	203	(2)
Be a Space Tourist Now	205	(2)
BIBLIOGRAPHY	207	(6)
INDEX	213