Logos Free Books offers you the best science news sources towards the Moon, towards Mars, on the ISS … On paper, the book of destinations of space tourism is dreaming. But between dreams and reality, where is the industry really?
On Monday, September 17, 2018, Space X boss Elon Musk unveiled the name of the first passenger of his first lunar mission: Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa. Expected departure date: 2023, aboard a BFR (Big Falcon Rocket) rocket. Ticket price: about 5% of the cost of the mission – estimated somewhere between $ 2 and $ 10 billion – ie between $ 100 and $ 500 million (86 to 430 million euros).
The South African entrepreneur, who is often a thunderous announcer, has revived the excitement of space tourism, a fantasy of the space industry for decades. Before him, Virgin Galactic had tried the adventure, but had several accidents. The Google Lunar Prize has also done pschitt. Closer to home, however, the International Space Station has already welcomed some lucky and fortunate tourists.
Time will tell if the Space X lunar project will succeed. What is certain is that the space industry is not left out. Witness the new machines that come into being: reusable rockets to reduce launch costs, space planes that pierce the atmosphere …