8 Ways to Become a Space Tourist

8 Ways to Become a Space Tourist

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8 Ways to Become a Space Tourist
Some of us are starting to get antsy about space travel. Just how long is it going to take exactly? Can't we just hop onto the space shuttle and go? Aren't we all looking forward to the Trump Moon Village Towers? What will happen to metabolism in space?

Traveling Out of Orbit Unto the Moon and Planets 
There are now dozens of companies all around the world testing and developing rockets, space planes, modules, capsules and more for the purposes of entering space. Those projects nearest and dearest will be the flights into the sub orbital areas and the trips to the nearby space stations, though cargo ships have begun making these trips on a regular basis.

A model of the Xcor Lynx aerospace rocket ship. Credit: Associated Press​

1. Sub Orbital Tickets $100K
Probably the most financially feasible trips will be those provided by companies like XCOR. XCOR is preparing to launch 2 to 4 flights per day into sub orbital space very soon via the Lyxx I, II, and III. Check out the XCOR website for more info.

2. Moon Village $1.55 Billion
Planned for 2020, NASA's goal is to build solar-powered 'lunar villages' on the Moon. Privately owned company Golden Spike will send you and a guest to the Moon aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 / "Dragon" spacecraft, currently being used to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. This modis exteriores is different from Apollo in that it will launch the orbiter and the lander on separate rockets. You and your guest will enjoy expedition and exploration as you cavort about the moon for approximately 36 hours. Upgrade to the Orbital Moon weeklong package for an additional $900 million. Plenty of cargo space for samples.

3. Book Commercial with NASA for a Trip to the ISS $20-40 Million
The International Space Station has been regularly occupied with people since 2000, and recently a cargo ship called the Cygnus was just bolted into place at the station. Commercial excursions to the Space Station will soon take place in partnership with the Space X Company. NASA is booking tickets for these trips now in order to prepare the rockets and organize the flights. Commercial travel helps NASA to replenish its financial resources.


4. Take a Look at the Stars at the Community Observatory in Placerville
If you do not have $100K to $1.55 billion available to spend on a space vacation, why not wait out the high prices and view the stars from the powerful telescopes available in a space conservatory? That way you can first decide where you would like to visit. Community Observatory in Placerville has 14" telescopes and admission is FREE. 6699 Campus Drive Placerville, CA 95667.

5. Chabot Observatory & Science Center in Oakland
Chabot Observatory has a gigantic telescope on deck and one of the most scenic observatory environments available. 10000 Skyline Blvd Oakland, CA 94619

6. SFSU Observatory in San Francisco
Check out the website to see the three telescopes currently available, sizes up to 16". There is also a planetarium at this location. Thorton Hall SF State University SF, CA 94132

7. Foothill College Observatory in Los Altos
Currently operated by the Peninsula Astronomical Society, this observatory features a 16" computer-controlled Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector, and has recently installed a new hydrogen-alpha solar telescope. 12345 El Monte Rd. 94022

Associated Press

8. Mars Rover on View at the Discovery Museum in Sacramento
Not fully satisfied gazing at the stars? The Discovery Museum in Sacramento is currently housing a full-scale model of the Mars Rover used for information gathering on Mars in 2004, on loan from NASA. There is also a Rocket Ship play area for children with wearable space gear and helmets. 3615 Auburn Blvd Sacramento, CA 95821.

Spaceships will need to travel a great deal faster to more efficiently travel to the other planets — outer space is quite large. So keep your fingers crossed for some of the ideas currently in development, including the "Space Elevator," the Bussard ramjet, anti-matter and tachyon propulsion.