Are longer journeys even possible for the space tourism industry?
Space tourism involves not only short flights but also long journeys. Some space tourists have revolved around the Earth and some have even spent several days on the international Space Station (ISS). This is the same space station which continuously revolves around the Earth at an altitude of about 400 kilometres.
In 2001, an American named Dennis Tito became the first space tourist. He had bought a ticket by paying money to go in the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. He stayed at the space station for more than seven days. Similarly, between 2001 and 2009, russia sent seven space tourists to the space station. One of these people, Charles Simony, has even travelled to space twice.
There are about a dozen private companies that provide space tourism services. These include some well-known companies like Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Axiom Space, zero Gravity Corporation and aeroplane manufacturing companies Boeing and Airbus are also working in this field.
In future, plans are also being made for very long journeys for those fond of travelling in space. These journeys can be to the Moon, other planets or any planet. But it will take some time. At present, sub-orbital space flights are the most preferred option for space tourism.