Otto Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic

1. Auflage 2008
ISBN: 978-3-8366-1723-9
Verlag: Bedey & Thoms Media eBook
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 0 - No protection

E-Book, Englisch, 92 Seiten

Die Arbeit „Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic“ beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema Weltraumtourismus, insbesondere mit dem so genannten suborbitalen Weltraumtourismus - ein gegenwärtig bei Privatunternehmen zu beobachtender Trend, die kommerzielle Flüge bis zur Grenze zum Weltall anbieten. Diese Grenze, nach ihrem Entdecker Theodore von Karman „Karman Line“ benannt, befindet sich laut der FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) in einer Höhe von etwa 100 km.Der Verfasser führt am Beispiel des angloamerikanischen Unternehmens Virgin Galactic eine detaillierte Machbarkeitsstudie zu diesem Phänomen durch und stellt, basierend auf den Ergebnissen dieser Studie, Zukunftsprognosen auf. Nach einer generellen Einführung in das Thema (u.a. Geschichte, Beweggründe für einen Weltraumflug, Stufen des Weltraumtourismus), widmet sich der Verfasser den Schwerpunkten der Machbarkeitsstudie. Hierbei handelt es sich im Einzelnen um eine Analyse der Vorgehensweise von Virgin Galactic und den vielversprechendsten Konkurrenten (Space Adventures, Benson Space Company, Space Access, Incredible Adventures, Rocketplane Limited, Starchaser Industries, und Blue Origin), sowie um eine Analyse der Weltraumflugschiffe und deren Hersteller. Anschließend wird der gesetzliche Rahmen am Beispiel der FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) dargestellt und es werden Ergebnisse aus Marktforschungsprojekten ausgewertet, um die Nachfrage für suborbitale Flüge zu erklären. Die Arbeit kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass sich die Industrie zwar noch in einem Anfangsstadium befindet, aber trotzdem ein enormes Wachstumspotential aufweist.The work “Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic” deals with the topic space tourism, especially with the so-called suborbital space tourism – a current trend of private businesses that offer commercial flights up to the edge of space. This edge of space, named “Karman Line” due to its founder Theodore von Karman, is defined by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) to be at an altitude of approximately 100 km.The author conducts a detailed feasibility study about this phenomenon at the example of the Anglo-American business Virgin Galactic, and sets up future projections based on the results of this study. After a general introduction into the topic (history, motives for going to space, stages of space tourism etc.) the author addresses the focal points of the feasibility study. In detail, this includes an analysis of the Virgin Galactic approach and its most promising competitors (Space Adventures, Benson Space Company, Space Access, Incredible Adventures, Rocketplane Limited, Starchaser Industries, and Blue Origin), as well as an analysis of the several spaceships and its manufacturers. Subsequently, the regulatory framework is illustrated at the example of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). In the end, results from market research projects are evaluated in order to explain the demand for suborbital flights. The study comes to the conclusion that the industry is still in an early pioneer phase, but nevertheless shows an enormous potential to grow.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Otto, Matthias

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic;1
1.1;Acknowledgements;3
1.2;Table of Contents;4
1.3;List of Figures;6
1.4;List of Abbreviations;7
1.5;Definitions;8
1.6;1. Introduction;9
1.7;2. General Aspects on Space Tourism;11
1.7.1;2.1 History of Space Exploration and Space Tourism;11
1.7.2;2.2 Motives for going to space;13
1.7.3;2.3 Benefits of Space Tourism;15
1.7.4;2.4 Obstacles to Space Tourism;16
1.7.5;2.5 Stages of Space Tourism;17
1.8;3. Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism;23
1.8.1;3.1 The Virgin Galactic Approach;23
1.8.1.1;3.1.1 The Product;24
1.8.1.2;3.1.2 The Place;28
1.8.1.3;3.1.3 The Communication Policy;30
1.8.1.4;3.1.4 SWOT Analysis of Virgin Galactic;32
1.8.2;3.2 Analysis of Virgin Galactic’s Direct Competitors in Suborbital Space Tourism;34
1.8.2.1;3.2.1 Space Adventures;34
1.8.2.2;3.2.2 Benson Space Company;36
1.8.2.3;3.2.3 Space Access;37
1.8.2.4;3.2.4 Incredible Adventures;38
1.8.2.5;3.2.5 Rocketplane Limited;39
1.8.2.6;3.2.6 Starchaser Industries;41
1.8.2.7;3.2.7 Blue Origin;42
1.8.2.8;3.2.8 Summary;44
1.8.3;3.3 Suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicles and Their Manufacturers;47
1.8.3.1;3.3.1 SpaceShipTwo (The Spaceship Company);47
1.8.3.2;3.3.2 Dream Chaser (SpaceDev);48
1.8.3.3;3.3.3 New Shepard (Blue Origin);48
1.8.3.4;3.3.4 Skyhopper (Space Access);49
1.8.3.5;3.3.5 Newson’s Spaceship1 (EADS Astrium);49
1.8.3.6;3.3.6 Lynx (XCOR Aerospace);50
1.8.3.7;3.3.7 Ascender (Bristol Spaceplanes);51
1.8.3.8;3.3.8 Thunderstar (Starchaser Industries);52
1.8.3.9;3.3.9 Rocketplane XP (Rocketplane Limited);52
1.8.3.10;3.3.10 Summary;53
1.9;3.4 Regulatory Framework and Non-Profit Space Tourism Organisations;55
1.9.1;3.4.1 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA);55
1.9.2;3.4.2 X Prize Foundation;57
1.9.3;3.4.3 Space Tourism Society;59
1.9.4;3.4.4 Summary;60
1.10;3.5 Suborbital Space Tourism Demand;61
1.11;4. Conclusion;66
1.12;Bibliography;68
1.13;Appendix A - Expert Interviews;76
1.14;Appendix B - Competition Guidelines of the Google Lunar X Prize;89

Leseproben

Chapter 3.2.4 Incredible Adventures Incredible Adventures, based in Sarasota, USA, is a business specialised in offering a range of adventure programs, including Russian space training, high-altitude jet flights, and space flights. The company exists since 1993, initially under the name MIGS etc. In 1996, controlling interest in the company was sold to venture capitalist Norman Fast. Currently, Jane Reifert is the president of the company.The vision defined by the company is “to deliver the most incredible adventures available at the fairest possible price.” (Incredible Adventures, 2008) On October 4, 2004, Incredible Adventures made a marketing agreement with Rocketplane Limited, a company engaged in space travel. In detail, the companies decided on jointly taking reservations for Rocketplane’s suborbital space flights. On December 12, 2007, the company announced that it would already offer more than 30 different adventures in 8 countries hitherto. (Incredible Adventures, 2007) As mentioned above, a current partner of the company is Rocketplane Limited. Furthermore, Incredible Adventures made a plethora of promotions over the past years, including programs in conjunction with Ford, Maggi, Budweiser, and Dr Pepper, just to name some of them. Last but not least, the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center at Star City, Russia, is used in order to prepare clients for space travel. Arising from a short enquiry of the author about the different offers at Incredible Adventures, Mrs. Reifert stated that “we are not directly involved in suborbital space tourism [...] we will help to sell seats on suborbital flights and help to sell or organize training for participants, but we aren't building or planning to operate a vehicle ourselves.” (Reifert, 2008) Since the company has broad experience and is very engaged in space-related operations, it is considered being kind of a competitor to other businesses in the author’s opinion. Due to the fact that the company’s suborbital flights will be carried out by Rocketplane Limited, information on the ticket prices, space flight program, proposed spaceport and the proposed vehicle is provided in the following.