More than 600 people can be considered space tourists

2021 was a landmark year for space exploration.

In 365 days, the world witnessed groundbreaking achievements like the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, receiving images from the Perseverance rover on Mars, and the liftoff of NASA’s planetary defense prototype, DART.

In addition, there was a great leap in space tourism, with people traveling to space with SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, although enormous wealth is associated with the opportunities to have this experience, with 2 of those flights commanded by billionaires Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos.

According to the portal ShareAmericaheThe Association of Space Explorers has 609 people listed who have already flown suborbitally or orbitally, according to CEO Andy Turnage. The number of private astronauts is so far about 30, but it is increasing.

This March 31, the launch of the Axiom-1 space mission is planned, which will send the first private crew to the International Space Station.

“Axiom’s vision of a thriving home in space is about facilitating breakthroughs and insights that benefit all humans, everywhere, and we provide universal access to low Earth orbit so that innovators, governments and individuals can do the same”, reads on the company’s website.

The first civilians in space

An early attempt by NASA to open up space to civilians ended when chosen traveler teacher Christa McAuliffe perished in the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. In 1990, Japanese radio journalist Akiyama Toyohiro spent seven days on the space station MIR, from Russia, becoming the first individual to become an astronaut.

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Post-Soviet Russia made space tourism a lucrative option. In 2001, American businessman Dennis Tito paid to fly on a Russian spacecraft, making him the first private citizen to fly to the International Space Station.

In the United States suborbital flights are available through Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic. SpaceX and Boeing are planning orbital flights. Boeing’s Starliner is scheduled to launch to the International Space Station in May.

NASA’s Camille Alleyne believes that private companies can bring innovation and agility to the space economy. “With competition, costs go down and that is always very good for the government,” said Alleyne, deputy administrator of the Low Orbit Business Development Program, in a NASA podcast. (I)