Presenter: Bill Carton

Starting slowly in 2001, orbital space tourism now has 17 flown participants, with dozens on the waiting lists. Suborbital or very high altitude balloon missions have flown another 30+ passengers, but the focus of this discussion is the orbital, extended zero-G experience of living in space, not just short hops.

Long predicted as a huge growth industry, just as commercial passenger airline flights are available now to most affluent citizens, commercial orbital tourism will stimulate competing launch vehicles, and even destinations such as inflatable hotels, proposed private replacements for the International Space Station, or open enclosures for sport or artistic creators. Farther out, lunar orbital or landing missions should be possible – keeping in mind the treaty that says original lunar landing sites are places of historical preservation to not disturb.

Location: Space Museum Galaxy Theater

Cost: Included with Admission