SpaceX on the verge of mass space tourism

SPACEX ON THE VERGE OF MASS SPACE TOURISM

Ok, I’ve made a few videos on space tourism and the implications of what is very much industry in ascendance, talked about Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin’s plans, eve some less known companies who are promising space bonanza and opportunities for entrepreneurial spirit.

However, so far I’ve mentioned very little about SpaceX plans, not for lack of wanting. Simply put SpaceX hasn’t advertised its space tourism as much, although looking at SpaceX agenda and tech, I am quite certain the company will dominate future space tourism, in fact everything space.

Although we had some hints of what SpaceX is up to, Last year Elon Musk proposed what it seemed crazy idea of city to city hops using BFR/Starship, and tickets shouldn’t cost and arm and a leg. Elon Musk most likely calculated how much would it costs to launch Starship on its own, and its pretty basic math, Starship and super heavy launch is $7 million if with the full tank Super Heavy launch alone comes at around $5.5 million, so to launch Starship to suborbit or around 100-120km will come at less than $1.5 million.

I know what you think, but $1.5 million per launch is a lot, and yes it is a lot, but if you consider BFR or Starship can be configured to carry up to 300 passengers with each city hop, the launch costs suddenly become very attractive proposition, and the fact let’s say a flight between London and Sydney takes only 1 hour, but 30 min of that will be in 100-120km orbit, every passenger would experience weightlessness for 30min.

And if the price of the return ticket is kept around $20 000 or even less, SpaceX could spur mass space truism inadvertently, or by accident, as other players will now be forced to think larger and more daring. Blue Origin’s and Virgin Galactic space ambitions are commendable, but @ early $200 000 per seat, they’re tad on pricier side.

If SpaceX can bring price down to more reasonable $20 000, the others will need to respond, in kind, or they’ll get no customers, also I know at least 20 people, me included who can put $20 000 and pay for the ride of our lifetime in to space, however $200 000 seems bit out of my pocket and no doubt pockets of majority of the people.

Last year in September, Elon Musk unveiled his plan for city to city BFR hops, and although the concept received some coverage, the unveiling of Mars plans took all pomp and circumstance, and as result many observers didn’t pay any attention or simply thought it was another crazy idea coming from Musk workshop.
However, concept of what was being proposed went unnoticed, and probably would go unnoticed untill SpaceX actually announces the real affordable space tourist flights with the launch of Starship in 2023 and 2023.

Clues as to what SpaceX plans to do became more clearer with the announcement of first space tourist to fly around the Moon in 2023, Yusaku Maezawa Japanese billionaire has booked out whole SpceX Starship to fly himself, and bunch of friends and artists around the Moon, what should be one of the first manned flights with SpaceX Starship. The Trip estimated to costs Yusaku Maezawa some $125 million, will see first mass space tourist voyage around solar system, albeit, tiny part of it.

The concept of using SpaceX Starship to carry space tourist across the globe is perhaps very novel, but extremely smart and lucrative concept, I for one would love to have a chance to experience affordable sub-orbital flight, especially if the flight is less than $20 000. Imagine taking off in London, in less than 5 min you’re floating in space, some 120km Altitude and 40 min later you’re lading in Sydney, Australia. Now, if this is something that happens only once in a lifetime, unless you’re someone like Elon Musk, than skies the limit.

SpaceX on the verge of mass space tourism

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Kane Dane