March 16, 2022
Space tourism is nothing but travelling to space for recreation. Just as tourists visit and experience another city or country, space tourism will give humans a chance to become astronauts and visit space for recreation, leisure or business. Industrialists such as Sir Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk are working on technologies to make space trips feasible through their respective companies—Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and Space X. In a matter of years, travelling to space will be as easy as booking a plane ticket or going on vacation!
Space tourism will help people learn about the wonders of the universe more realistically and accurately. And though the idea of space tourism is very exciting, there are still many aspects of it that need to be worked out. As of now, travelling to space is an expensive affair for the common man. The waitlist for space travel opportunities is also long and at present, mostly includes billionaires. Another challenge before space travel companies is to ensure the safety of their customers as potential mishaps will always remain a concern. Also, people would have to adapt to the environment in space, which could be a threat to their health. Apart from that, scientists would have to work on reducing the environmental impact these trips have before they become more frequent and start to threaten the environment in outer space.
What Do RobinAgers Think About Space Travel?
Keshav Mohta
Class 9, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai
Space tourism is clearly the next frontier for humankind. The ability to travel millions of kilometres into uncharted territory is very exciting. Investments in technology will drive speed and safety while bringing down costs, a key to the success of space tourism. While we have a lot to learn about space travel, I expect to see some great progress in this field as we go forward. Hence, the idea of having lunch on the moon or even on Mars may not be as far-fetched anymore. But we need to take care and not damage the environment as more humans start venturing out. For all you know, space tourism could be a stepping-stone to permanent human habitation on other planets.
Sai Avyay Mudiganti
Class 5, Deens Academy, Bengaluru
Travelling to space could help us explore many planets and stars. We could possibly inhabit planets in the future and learn more about them. Space stations could be created, which would allow us to travel to different planets. The biggest challenge for a space trip would be the unavailability of oxygen, which would make it difficult for humans to live there over a long period of time. Space tourism would also need many rockets and spaceships, which would consume a lot of fuel. Another challenge would be the creation of space debris that would destroy the environment in space. To solve this, we need to clean the existing space debris and create a safe pathway for new satellites and new explorations. Thus, though space tourism is advantageous, it also has its cons. But I would like to travel to space so that I can experience the stars and planets up close.
Jagath Advaith Para
Class 5, The Foundation School, Bengaluru
A tour to explore the beautiful outer space where we can see the planets, moons, asteroids and comets up close is very exciting. Though space tourism is meant for human pleasure, I believe that there will be so much to watch and learn that it will break existing myths and superstitions. If there is a chance, I would want to orbit around the Earth. However, as of now, space travel is very costly. New technologies should be built to bring down the costs. Super speed spaceships, emergency beacons, lightweight space suits and oxygen helmets, advanced cameras and special toilets are all needed for increased human comfort and safety.
Suhas Chalamcharla
Class 5, Deens Academy, Bengaluru
Space is vast
As tourists, we will have a blast
Not the first to touch the moon
for the common man, it’s a swoon
Out you go onto Mars
In space, jet passing by all stars
Intrigued by the idea of building colonies
Leaving behind all the monotonies!
Far we go!!
For the world to say Bravo!!!
Future Perspective
Several visionaries are working on setting up commercial space hotels and other amenities in the future that would allow people to take full-fledged pleasure trips to space. Orbital Assembly Corporation’s Voyager Station will be the first space hotel to open, in 2027. It will accommodate 280 guests and 112 crew members.
