Postcard of an astronaut sitting on a lawn chair with a drink in hand and beach ball on Mars

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Should Tourists Visit Space?

January 2, 2023

Traveling to space used to be something only professional astronauts could do. But in the past few years, companies have started taking paying customers into space. This kind of travel is known as space tourism. Experts estimate that nearly 58,000 private citizens will travel to space by 2031.

This past April, a company called Axiom Space led the world’s first all-private trip to the International Space Station. The Ax-1 mission launched three businessmen to the space laboratory, about 250 miles above Earth. Each of them paid $55 million for the 17-day trip. Former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría joined the men on their journey.

Many companies are excited about the future of space tourism. They are planning to build commercial space stations, space hotels, and research facilities. Some could be open for business in space within the next five years.

Many people think it would be amazing to have the opportunity to gaze down on Earth from space. But others believe space tourism could be bad for our planet.

Should people who aren’t professional astronauts visit space?

Viewing Earth from space is a life-changing experience for most astronauts. But only about 600 people have ever done so. Many who have say it has given them a better appreciation for our planet. Supporters of space tourism argue that more people visiting space could lead to a greater respect for Earth.

Plus, space missions of the past have led to inventions such as solar panels and digital image sensors on cameras and phones. Some experts believe private citizens could help develop even more technology. López-Alegría says that many private citizens aren’t going to space just for a relaxing vacation. They sometimes work too.

Experts predict that space tourism could be an $8 BILLION industry by 2030.

^{Source: Canaccord Genuity Group}

“The private astronauts on the Ax-1 mission conducted experiments that could benefit future space flights,” he explains.

Besides, trips to space could become less expensive in the future. Airline tickets were once out of reach for most people too. But over time, they became more affordable.

Many experts worry that space tourism could harm the environment. Rockets release many harmful chemicals and gases that could create dangerous amounts of air pollution. Karen Rosenlof is a scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She believes if space tourism really takes off, it could worsen environmental problems.

“Our concern is that by 2050, we may double the amount of rockets going up,” Rosenlof explains. “That may increase pollution.”

One rocket launch can emit up to 300 tons of carbon dioxide.

^{Source: University College London}

Some people also argue that it can be dangerous for everyday people to travel to space. There are currently no safety regulations for private spaceflights or set rules about the training people need for the trip.

Others point out that private space travel is so expensive that only people who are rich can afford it. Right now, even the cheapest tickets to space cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Opponents of space tourism argue that this money would be better spent solving problems here on Earth.