Abstract

An historical-critical survey of the contemporary state-of-the-art of space tourism industrial development identified eighteen factors suggestive of the significance of this phenomenon. Initially it was discovered that there have already been space tourists, and that some space tourism capacity was presently available. It must be admitted that the space tourism industry was a contemporary phenomenon, albeit at an embryonic stage of development. There appeared to be a trend towards space tourism, and a space tourism movement was identified. Space tourism plans of several firms were described as were numerous instances of contemporary space tourism investment. Space tourism construction and manufacturing was underway and was documented. A number of space tourism firms were accepting reservations and taking deposits, such as Virgin Galactic and Space Adventures. Space tourism test flights were conducted with regularity by several competing vendors. Space tourism licenses and permits were routinely applied for and obtained. Space tourism transportation technological adequacy was documented, and the space tourism infrastructure seemed to be adequate. Space tourism was an inevitable development some sources contended. The proliferation of space tourism firms was observed. The fact that a space tourism market currently existed was noted. The relative safety of space tourism was described.