The Houston Chronicle explained that Boeing designs on being in the mega-business of space tourism in the near future. In spite of recently getting $20 billion in government subsidies for transatlantic aerospace travel endeavors – a move labeled a violation of international trade law by World Trade Organization judges – Boeing is now knocking on President Obama’s door again. Even with that cash, it still is talking to President Obama again. Now, the company wants the administration to increase funding for commercial spaceflight.
Space tourism real to Boeing by 2015
Boeing has big hopes for what it plans to do with the capsule CST-100 by 2015. It hopes that by that time, National Aeronautics and Space Administration may have a contract enabling astronauts to use the CST-100 to get the International Space Station. The Chronicle explains that tourists could come along during the ride since the capsule has plenty of seats. The CST-100 will make it possible for Boeing to send humans to space, says the vice president and general manager of Boeing’s Space Exploration division, Brewster Shaw. Right now, Boeing and Space Adventures are working together on the project. Space Adventures is the company that used Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft to send private flights to the International Space Station.
Although Boeing seems to have it all, it nevertheless hasn’t won
Globally, Boeing is the largest aircraft manufacturer in terms of revenue, orders and products delivered, suggests the Chronicle. The International Space Station also uses Boeing as its prime contractor. But numerous hurdles must be cleared before the company comes to dominate the exciting, yet speculative, field of space tourism. It required $18 million to start development of rockets and capsules to carry NASA astronauts to low-Earth orbit after the space shuttle program retires in 2011. Space tourism would cost a lot more than that. We’re looking at high numbers. Boeing should be working hard since you will find other businesses looking for the same business.
Congress encouraged by Obama for making cash for commercial spacecraft
When it comes to seeing how much money the U.S. government is willing to help pay for commercial space flights, numbers go pretty fast. Congress was told by President Obama to get $6 billion in five years. The Senate’s latest offer is $1.3 billion over three years, when the House penned a $150 million, three-year version. We are seeing a huge financial disconnect. Each part of the government has its own priorities to work with. Boeing thinks it will move much slower towards space tourism without the money the President has asked for. We can get a good estimate of what the industry would cost by looking at how much is cost Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberte, to go to the International Space Station. He used the Soyuz and it cost $40 million.
Houston Chronicle
chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7203076.html
Google Tech Talk on space tourism
youtube.com/watch?v=yJDKzodiDjE
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