What the growth of a space tourism industry could contribute to employment, economic growth, environmental protection, education, culture and world peace

Social representations of space travel: Modeling the antecedents and outcomes

“…Economic and environmental benefits and drawbacks of space tourism signal different representations. A somewhat favorable view of the benefits of space tourism is derived from employment, economic growth, and perhaps somewhat surprisingly, the contribution of space tourism to environmental protection (Collins & Autino, 2010). Benefits of an environmental nature are argued to be in the form of space‐based solar power, the possibility for carbon‐neutral space travel and the broader development of the space‐based industry, and longer‐term, the amelioration of severe weather and climate stabilization via the use of solar power satellites.…”

“…Benefits of an environmental nature are argued to be in the form of space‐based solar power, the possibility for carbon‐neutral space travel and the broader development of the space‐based industry, and longer‐term, the amelioration of severe weather and climate stabilization via the use of solar power satellites. Space tourism can serve as an educational catalyst for the generation of greater interest in STEM subjects by the masses and it serving as a means to engage a sense of “social ethic” of the wealthy and their sense of social duty to “give back” to society; in this case in the form of space tourism developments (Collins & Autino, 2010). Although some information on space tourism projects a positive and forward‐looking picture, there remain the potential environmental issues such as economic inequality, militarization, damage to celestial environments, as well as soot and trash that can worsen climate change (Cohen, 2019; Spector & Higham, 2019).…”

“…These different levels of space experiences make space tourism a potential interest for all walks of life even though the common perception of space tourism is one of an activity with a high price tag that will only be affordable to the very few (Collins & Autino, 2010). This, in part, explains the difficulty in predicting with some form of accuracy the actual size of the space tourism market.…”

“…This, in part, explains the difficulty in predicting with some form of accuracy the actual size of the space tourism market. Crouch (2001, p. 219) concludes that the actual size, shape, and growth of this market will be determined “by the products, prices, competition and strategies developed and adopted by commercial space interests, guided by solid market research and resulting marketing strategies.” Collins and Autino (2010) add the need for significant cost reductions to take place before a mass‐market appeal will be reached, while Crouch et al (2009) highlighted the price‐sensitive, young, and male‐dominated nature of the existing market, albeit in Australia. Taking space tourism from hypothetical “distant dream” to commercial “real‐life” indicates the need for understanding of space tourism as a different level of experiences attractive to diverse markets, even though currently limited to the elite (Billings, 2006; Cater, 2010; Crane, 2017; Le Goff & Moreau, 2013; Loizu, 2006).…”

Performances of a small hypersonic airplane (HyPlane)

“…University of Naples "Federico II", in the wider frame of the Space Renaissance (SR) Italia Space Tourism Program [18,19] and with the support of other universities and small and medium enterprises (including Polytechnic of Turin, BLUE Engineering and TRANS-TECH), is investigating a new vehicle concept for hypersonic transportation over transcontinental distances and long-duration space tourism missions.…”