Show Transcript: November 18 Nov 18, 2009
TUCKER: Virgin Galactic will use Spaceport America to launch its space tourism business, offering wealthy clients rides into spaces, carried aloft by the White Knight II. Virgin Galactic is the largest private partner in this futuristic and futuristic-looking venture in the desert, committing more than $200 million in technological development. The project broke ground in June; construction contracts have been awarded. (CNN -- US)
Can they make a space elevator? Nov 7, 2009
Elevator could lead to space tourism, wind turbines, cheaper rocket launches. Space elevator idea was explored by Arthur C. Clarke in 1979's "The Fountains of Paradise". (CNN)
To the Moon, Tourist Nov 6, 2009
Space Tourism a Reality by 2012 ... "This will require a launch license from our office at the FAA. We are on the threshold of a new era in space transportation suborbital space tourism.". (Fox News)
Spanish Company Plans Hotel in Space Nov 3, 2009
A former aerospace engineer, Mr Claramunt says that his company is at the forefront of the emerging industry of space tourism. It is normal to think that your children, perhaps within 15 years, could spend a week in space, he insists. (Newsmax)
Space hotel says it's on schedule to open in 2012 Nov 2, 2009
A nascent space tourism industry is beginning to take shape with construction underway in New Mexico of Spaceport America, the world's first facility built specifically for space-bound commercial customers and fee-paying passengers. British tycoon Richard Branson's space tours firm, Virgin Galactic, will use the facility to propel tourists into suborbital space at a cost of $200,000 a ride. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Austria Supermarket Selling Space Trips Oct 29, 2009
Four-year-old Lene wears a protective filter as she watches the transit of Venus in front of the sun in Vienna, June 8, 2004. (Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters). (Newsmax)
Rocket Design Fires International Interest Oct 17, 2009
The model is known as a hybrid rocket a type now being used for vehicles intended for space tourism. It uses a gaseous oxidizer: nitrous oxide and a solid fuel: acrylic a common household plastic. (Science Daily)
After 5 Yrs, Space Tourism A Work In Progress Oct 4, 2009
More Than $1B Has Been Invested In Industry. ALICIA CHANG, Associated Press Writers. (Click2Houston, TX)
Space Tourism May Stop After 2011 Oct 4, 2009
com - Wire-Service Stories. Contributor Guidelines. (SkyAndTelescope.com)
Full Story » Oct 4, 2009
Space tourism yet to fly, 5 years since 1st flight - Yahoo ... Space tourism yet to fly, 5 years since 1st flight. (Yahoo News -- Technology)
Space viewed as a frontier for business Oct 1, 2009
He spoke of XCOR s ambition to make these suborbital flights fast and easy for deliveries and space tourism. Imagine we re Netscape and it s 1992, he said, using the Internet as an analogy to the business possibilities of space. (Boston Globe)
Sky is not the limit at space business summit Oct 1, 2009
com founder Jeff Bezos have invested their own money in space tourism ... Paul Eckert, an international and commercial strategist with Boeing Co., a sponsor of the summit, said commercial opportunities in space go well beyond space tourism. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Buzz Aldrin comes to Carlisle Sep 25, 2009
In his busy schedule, Aldrin has written childrens books about space, started a foundation that promotes future space tourism and hes even rapped about space on a track called Rocket Experience. . (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Space Entrepreneurship Forum Sep 22, 2009
The private space industry is estimated to become an estimated 1 trillion dollar industry by 2020 and according to Futron Corporation, space tourism alone could be a multi-billion dollar industry by the same year. The goal of this forum is to raise awareness of business opportunities and areas of growth within the African American business community. (NASA Watch)
Privately Built Rockets Compete for Top Prize Sep 18, 2009
The Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge is funded by NASA and presented by the X Prize Foundation, the group behind the $10 million competition won in 2004 by SpaceShipOne, the first privately developed manned rocket to reach space and prototype for a fleet of space tourism rockets. The remotely controlled Xombie is competing for second-place in the first level of the competition, which requires a flight from one pad to another and back within two hours and 15 minutes. (Fox News)
Forbes forum to discuss direction of economy Sep 18, 2009
In the discussion on luxury and big spenders, space tourism and Richard Garriot, chairman of Space Adventures Inc, will likely be in the spotlight. A near-billionaire, Garriot visited outer space last year, and liked it so much that he became chairman of the company. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
The coming of age of Scramjet Sep 12, 2009
Scramjet will also kick-start space tourism and industry, spanning the sub-orbital leg of the trip at a fraction of the cost of fuel-laden rockets. So how did Australia steal a march on this. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
Space tourism countdown begins Sep 7, 2009
for free extra services. Subscribe to Jacksonville Business Journal. (Jacksonville Business Journal, FL)
Buzz Aldrin to Be Keynote Speaker for Hope International University's Annual Celebrate Hope Dinner at Disney's Grand Californian(R) Hotel & Spa Sep 4, 2009
Since retiring from NASA, the USAF, and his position as Commander of the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Dr. Aldrin founded his rocket design company, Starcraft Boosters, Inc., and the ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to opening the doors to space tourism for all people. Dr. Aldrin continues to share his vision for the future of space travel with today's youth by authoring his first illustrated children's book "Reaching for the Moon" (Harper Collins, 2005) and two space... (PR Newswire)
Low-altitude rocket launched in New Mexico Aug 5, 2009
-based avionics company successfully fired a low-altitude rocket Tuesday at a new spaceport in New Mexico where the state hopes to launch commercial space tourism flights within two years. Officials at Spaceport America said such tests are important steps, not only toward viable space travel but also to demonstrate the site's uses for other commercial space development. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Branson's dream: Sneak peek at Virgin's spaceship Jul 30, 2009
Make way for space tourism. Entrepreneur Richard Branson has unveiled a model of the spaceship he hopes will be the first to take paying passengers into space on a regular basis as soon as next year. (India Times)
Virgins Branson sees hopeful economic signs Jul 29, 2009
Branson on Monday was visiting Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where Virgin Galactic, Bransons space tourism business, was set to unveil Virgins Mothership to the general public. Branson was to fly yesterday for the first time aboard the aerospace vehicle, which is designed to carry a spacecraft to the proper altitude to begin suborbital flight. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Business)
Arab investment boosts spaceship venture Jul 29, 2009
Aabar Investments' buy-in gives British billionaire Sir Richard Branson's space tourism venture a big financial kickstart at a time when many funding sources have dried up because of the global recession ... A rival space tourism company, Space Adventures, announced plans in 2006 to build a $265 million spaceport in Ras al-Khaimah, a northern sheikdom in the United Arab Emirates, but almost no progress has been made since. (MSNBC -- International)
Rutan craft aims to bring space closer Jul 28, 2009
The next day, VMS Eve will take to the air again for a flight demonstration marking another significant first: Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin group of more than 350 companies, will participate as a crew member and, for the first time, fly aboard an aerospace vehicle developed for his progressing Virgin Galactic space tourism enterprise. Additional flight demonstrations on Thursday, July 30, and before departing on Saturday, August 1, will round out a visit that will also include... (Fresno Bee)
Advance ticket sales up 33 pct for EAA AirVenture Jul 26, 2009
The company is concentrating on safety, hoping to make space tourism safer than driving a car, he said. Scott Mulhollan, an 18-year-old student pilot from Scottsdale, Ariz. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
ESSAY: Space: Is the final frontier all it used to be? Jul 22, 2009
In fact, some of the more exciting prospects about space travel are coming from private industry ---- the so-called "space tourism" initiatives that entrepreneurs are increasingly putting forward. But publicly funded space travel. (North County Times)
More news reports... Jul 21, 2009
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum will present an issues forum on space tourism with Richard Garriott. . (The Battalion, TX)
Hawaii Could Become Launch Site for Space Tourism Jul 12, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009. AP/Rocketplane Global. (Fox News)
Hawaii works on space tourism plan Jul 11, 2009
Hawaii won't win the race to become the first state with space tourism, but in a new twist, it probably will be the first place where travelers can use the planes for real transportation ... Several space tourism companies, including Rocketplane, have shown interest in coming to Hawaii if they could, said John Strom, vice president of business development for Enterprise Honolulu, the Oahu economic development board. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Drink Beer, Win a Trip to Space Jul 4, 2009
Founded by British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic is a commercial space tourism company that plans to launch passengers on $200,000 trips to suborbital space using a fleet of SpaceShipTwo spacecraft. The spaceliners are designed to be launched from the air by a massive and send two pilots and six passengers on a weightless joyride. (Fox News)
UK 'yet to embrace space tourism' Jul 1, 2009
UK 'yet to embrace space tourism ... Speaking at a space tourism conference in London, he said current rules would prevent Virgin launches from the UK. ... The UK Space Tourism conference was taking place at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London. (BBC News -- Science)
One giant leap toward space tourism Jun 21, 2009
New Mexico officials break ground on facility for space tourists. Cost for new facility is $2 million; it's completely funded by state. (CNN -- International)
One giant leap for space tourists in New Mexico Jun 21, 2009
One giant leap toward space tourism in New Mexico - CNN.com ... One giant leap toward space tourism in New Mexico. (CNN -- US)
Work starts on New Mexico spaceport Jun 21, 2009
When finished in 18 months' time, the facility will house Virgin Galactic's space tourism business and other firms working in the commercial space arena. It will cost the New Mexico government almost $200m (121m). (BBC News -- Science)
Spaceport in N.M. has eye on sky and beyond Jun 18, 2009
Spaceport America is about more than space tourism. Landeene said the facility also will tap other business ventures such as medical research and communication projects. (AZCentral -- News)
Virgin Galactic completes initial rocket tests May 29, 2009
The space tourism firm Virgin Galactic has successfully test-fired the rocket motor designed to boost a passenger spaceliner on suborbital joy rides into space ... Virgin Galactic has already and 300 people on its waiting lists for space tourism flights. (MSNBC -- Technology)
How major bills fared at the Capitol May 18, 2009
Provides money for the application for a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration to establish space tourism in Hawai'i. Zipper lanes (SB 714 SD1 HD2 CD1). (Honolulu Advertiser)
Cecil Field Could Soon See Space Flights May 15, 2009
"To bring forth a solution for how an every-day person would have an opportunity to participate in space tourism without being a multimillionaire or an astronaut," Webb said. If the application process and the public comment process go through without any major problems, space planes could arrive at Cecil Field as early as 2010. (News4Jax.com, FL)
Our views: Fixing the damage May 9, 2009
A state official who helped Space Florida gain funding for a space tourism program at a Panhandle medical clinic later took a $150,000-a-year job as the programs director in what a Governors Office probe said likely violated state ethics laws. The final straw were reports last week in the Orlando Sentinel that Kohler steered a $195,000 no-bid lobbying contract to a friend in Pennsylvania and paid the money in two installments, apparently to get around a requirement that Space Floridas board... (Florida Today)
Virgin sees space tourism as just the beginning May 9, 2009
Asked about how environmentally friendly it was to develop space tourism, which arguably nobody needs in the first place, Whitehorn said none of the future projects he envisaged would be possible without first proving a business model. "You could not develop the system at this stage without developing the markets," he said. (MSNBC -- Technology)
$5B budget relies on tax hikes and federal funds May 9, 2009
A $250,000 appropriation for Hawaii to apply for a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration in hopes of establishing space tourism facilities in the islands ... A $250,000 appropriation for Hawaii to apply for a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration in hopes of establishing space tourism facilities in the islands. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Hawaii lawmakers wrapping up session May 8, 2009
A $250,000 appropriation for Hawaii to apply for a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration in hopes of establishing space tourism in the Islands. A bill that would ease the way for implementation of the 4 percent general excise tax on all Internet purchases made from Hawaii. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Hideo Kojima's Dreams Apr 28, 2009
Unless space tourism comes down in price a bit, there's probably a good chance that we'll get at least one more Kojima game. And that game will, Kojima reiterated during the talk session, see its debut at E3 in a little over a month. (IGN PS2)
Rocket Launches Damage Ozone Layer, Study Says Apr 15, 2009
If the space tourism industry alone follows market projections, rocket launches are "going to run up against Montreal Protocol," said study co-author Darin Toohey of the University of Colorado at Boulder. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international treaty, prescribes measures intended to hasten the recovery of Earth's depleted ozone layer. (National Geographic)
Commission may probe aerospace chief Apr 14, 2009
TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist wants an Ethics Commission inquiry into a former high-level tourism official's involvement in state funding for a "space tourism" program in which he took a six-figure job. The governor's chief inspector general, Melinda Miguell, has issued a 67-page report said Brice Harris may have violated state conflict-of-interest laws by arranging $500,000 in funding for the Andrews-Paulos Research and Education Institute in Gulf Breeze. (Florida Today)
Space tourism to stall? Mar 30, 2009
Space tourism to stall ... These are tough times in the niche industry of space tourism, and not only because the economic crisis means that fewer are willing to stump up the $35-million that Charles Simonyi paid for his second trip to space ... True space tourism 'science fiction. (iAfrica.com)
Ready for lift-off Mar 26, 2009
Page last updated at 00:24 GMT, Thursday, 26 March 2009. By Rayhan Demytrie BBC News, Baikonur cosmodrome. (BBC News -- Europe)
Space tourism to take flight in 2012... Mar 19, 2009
Space tourism to take flight in 2012 ... Space tourism to take flight in 2012. (The Drudge Report)
'Spider in space' Mar 13, 2009
The] new aerospace pioneers, striving to bring us space tourism today, were young impressionable children and teenagers during the 1960s - inspired to take up their careers, in part, by the Apollo programme ... Schweickart's experience pointed the way to space tourism ... These new aerospace pioneers, striving to bring us space tourism today, were young impressionable children and teenagers during the 1960s - inspired to take up their careers, in part, by the Apollo programme. (BBC News -- Americas)
Man Suing Va-Based Space Tourism Company (6:22 p.m.) Mar 7, 2009
(AP) - A federal judge is allowing a Japanese millionaire to go ahead with his lawsuit against a Virginia company that he says unfairly denied him a ride into outer space. Daisuke Enomoto had planned to be the world's fourth "space tourist." He paid $21 million to Space Adventures, the Vienna, Va. (WTVR.com, VA)
Plans for UK satellite launcher Feb 7, 2009
Virgin Galactic has yet to start its space tourism service. It unveiled White Knight Two last year, and expects to roll out its tourist spaceliner, SpaceShipTwo, later this year. (BBC News -- Technology)
