Space Price Wars
How would you feel about paying $200,000 to get into space?
Because, though no-one has actually flown yet, that for the last year or so has been the price of a ticket, courtesy of Richard Branson, Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites, all wrapped up into a badass package known as Virgin Galatic. And, to top it off, their ship is called the V.S.S. Enterprise.
But what if I told you there was a second option, for only $100,000?
Space Adventures (who set up all kinds of things, including some of the Russian MIR and ISS trips) is looking to book you on a flight with Armadillo Aerospace for only $100,000. Sweet deal!
Or not...
The thing is, Scaled Composites is the only NewSpace company to you know, actually make it into space with a human on board. Armadillo is well respected, and has won some X-Prize lunar lander challenges (on earth) etc, but it has not sent anyone or anything into space yet. Let along bring them back alive.
Which is why, to me, space tourism falls into that category of goods you don't just go for the cheapest option, such as hotel rooms in New York, tattoo artists and Las Vegas all-you-can-eat buffets (or other things in Las Vegas).
Which is why I would stick with Virgin Galactic, though lets be honest, no-one has flown as a tourist in space for less than $20 million, so really we are all just waiting for the new revolution to begin. Arguing over who has the lowest prices seems a little premature when we have not even crossed the starting line yet, but who am I to be against competition. Hell - I hope it will be only $50,000 in 10 years, and that I will be able to pay it.
Because, though no-one has actually flown yet, that for the last year or so has been the price of a ticket, courtesy of Richard Branson, Burt Rutan and Scaled Composites, all wrapped up into a badass package known as Virgin Galatic. And, to top it off, their ship is called the V.S.S. Enterprise.
But what if I told you there was a second option, for only $100,000?
Space Adventures (who set up all kinds of things, including some of the Russian MIR and ISS trips) is looking to book you on a flight with Armadillo Aerospace for only $100,000. Sweet deal!
Or not...
The thing is, Scaled Composites is the only NewSpace company to you know, actually make it into space with a human on board. Armadillo is well respected, and has won some X-Prize lunar lander challenges (on earth) etc, but it has not sent anyone or anything into space yet. Let along bring them back alive.
Which is why, to me, space tourism falls into that category of goods you don't just go for the cheapest option, such as hotel rooms in New York, tattoo artists and Las Vegas all-you-can-eat buffets (or other things in Las Vegas).
Which is why I would stick with Virgin Galactic, though lets be honest, no-one has flown as a tourist in space for less than $20 million, so really we are all just waiting for the new revolution to begin. Arguing over who has the lowest prices seems a little premature when we have not even crossed the starting line yet, but who am I to be against competition. Hell - I hope it will be only $50,000 in 10 years, and that I will be able to pay it.
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