The Evolution of the Space Tourism Experience
As it exists today, the space tourism “experience” relies on the thrill of just being in space for a select group of dedicated space enthusiasts. However, for this budding tourism industry to grow, it needs to appeal to a broader mainstream audience and to those who want more than a rocket ride and a view of the Earth. This episode of the On Orbit Future Space Economy webcast series features experts who are working to build a more complete space tourism experience package that includes pre- and post-launch adventures, in-space activities and entertainment. Learn about your next potential vacation in space!
About the speakers:
Jane Poynter co-founded Space Perspective with Taber MacCallum. As Chief Experience Officer, she is charged with ensuring all Space Explorers have the most meaningful and memorable journey possible. Jane was a member of the Biosphere 2 design team and original crew who lived for two years inside the sealed, self-sustaining habitat, the first prototype space base built and operated. Her book, “The Human Experiment: Two Years and Twenty Minutes Inside Biosphere 2,” chronicles her time as one of the original eight crew members on that project.
Tom Shelley is president of Space Adventures, the only company to have arranged for self-funded private citizens to fly to space. Tom joined Space Adventures over 15 years ago bringing his marketing expertise to the company having no prior interest or experience in the space industry. In total Space Adventures has arranged nine flights to space, with the most recent being for Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and his production assistant Yozo in December 2021. Space Adventures’ clients have spent a combined total of over 100 days on-board the International Space Station and travelled 35 million miles in space.