Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

As the countdown approaches for suborbital liftoffs of entrepreneurs Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson, and their independent space travel enterprises, I asked author Alan Ladwig to reflect on these upcoming milestones. Ladwig is a former manager of both the Shuttle Student Involvement Program and the Spaceflight Participant Program, which included the Teacher in Space and Journalist in Space competitions.

In July of 2008 when Virgin Galactic rolled out the WhiteKnight2 carrier aircraft, Richard Branson said the first suborbital passenger flights would take place in 2010. Space dreamers have been waiting patiently, (some not so patiently) for Virgin to deliver the goods.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Galactic takes flight. Will public space travel?
Credit: Virgin Galactic

Now, 11 years past that initial promise, this historic milestone will finally be achieved with Branson on board.

Just 11 days later, Blue Origin will also debut its first flight with passengers on board, including no less than the richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin.
Credit: Blue Origin

Recreational space travel

After years of being promised that our ticket to ride was just a rocket away, the dream of recreational space travel for “ordinary citizens” has arrived.

The long 11 years that it took to get here will be quickly forgotten as dozens of people achieve their dream to see Earth from above. Though often criticized as a playground for the ultra rich, in the years ahead an increasing number of travelers of more modest means will check in at the launch pad to conduct science and engineering research and testing, perform educational programs, and create entertainment endeavors. And some people will go that just want to have fun.

Cosmonaut Alexsandr Serebrov.
Credit: Roscosmos

Speaking at a space conference in 1990, Cosmonaut Alexsandr Serebrov observed, “Those who fly in space feel differently and become sick with a global philosophy and terrible case of cosmic views.”

During these extraordinarily challenging political times, let’s hope those who are able to make the trip into space come back and confirm Serebrov’s proclamation.

See You In Orbit? – Our Dream Of Spaceflight by Alan Ladwig, To Orbit Productions, LLC, October 2019; paperback, 500 pages, $18.00.

One Response to “Public Space Travel: Just a Rocket Ride Away?”