Category: Space

The most manageable steps of reading a long article are to overview what the authors communicate in the papers. The reader may not get the significant meanings of what the writer speaks about in the report but develops a clue of what he is to expect. The first step is to scheme through the papers table of contents to see what it contains. Skauges (2020) content list implies that the article discusses space mining, treaties signed by various nations regarding the issue, and the conclusion.

The reader then schemes through the introduction and background, not reading all the sentences within these parts. This quick tactical reading hints that the article talks about space mining, strategies, and soft laws. Quick scheming of the body text and partially reading the sentences should be the subsequent step. The last step of quick reading entails quick scheming through the conclusion as it sums up the main points discussed within the papers.

Difficult steps of reading the paper entail the reader taking a lot of time to digest the concepts written in the journal article. The student thoroughly studies the report and makes sure that he understands every sentence within Skauge (2020). The reader rereads the sentences and phrases that he does not understand to get a better understanding. The students research more about the various treaties discussed within the paper to understand them better. Through this deep research, the reader generates a comprehensive knowledge of the global space treaty requirements. The student also reads the entire paper two or more times to understand space mining exploration better.

The challenging sections in the paper entailed the international space regulations, where the writer referred to an already discussed treaty under a newly discussed treaty. This comparison of the two treaties requires the reader to move back to the previously discussed agreement to understand what the author discusses thoroughly. In an example in Skauge (2020), where the author mentioned the outer space treaty under the moon treatys discussion, the reader must go back and refer to the previous argument the author had developed. Another perfect example in the article is when the writer compares the deep sea and ISA treaties to Antarctica; the reader must refer to the treaties to see what has already been explained. Without doing this, the reader can not comprehensively connect the treaties discussed.

The article discusses essential issues regarding space mining, which is a quick-approaching reality. The USA and other developed nations like Russia have found an interest in exploring minerals in space. The 2015 space act also propelled many private companies to put an investment in this sector. The existing treaties require the international communitys support to regulate the exploitation of these minerals without conflicts. The decreased chances of these conflicts increase space stability and lift the US space economy.

The weak law that governs space mining is unenforceable, creating a gap for potential battles. Allowing these soft laws to operate while barring the creation of new and better treaties will allow potential space conflicts to continue in the future. The countries will continue using soft laws to enhance their maximum. The formed treaties must be enforceable to avoid future disputes among countries within the space. The enforceability can be strengthened by creating initiatives that make it hard for nations to violate treaties if they change their countries leadership. Treaties can also enforce penalties to avoid nations violating these treaties.

Reference

Skauge, T. (2020). Space mining & exploration: Forcing a pivotal movement. Journal of Corporation Law, 45(3), 815-832. Web.

Introduction

This paper is aimed at the comparative analysis of two approaches concerning museum spaces by Duncan and Hillier and Tzortzi in relation to the visit to the British Museum.

Key Ideas and Approach to Museum Space by Duncan

The first article is written by art historian Carol Duncan. He treats museum spaces as ceremonial monuments that is not just a shell for museum exhibits, but they possess certain social and political meaning (Duncan 2003). Moreover, Duncan analyzes the generic features of the modern art museum, in particular, its ritual architecture structured by means of texts written for visitors in order to direct them, information boards to acquaint visitors with art from the beginning until late apotheosis.

Questioning the hermetic closure of museums, their detachment from the external social and political problems, Duncan discusses methods of organization of museum, management, public relations, and corporate investments. Duncan considers that museum space suggests rituality, in other words, secularity that promotes the preservation of the cultural heritage and defining the identity.

Main Points and Approach to Museum Syntax by Hillier and Tzortzi

Bill Hillier and Kali Tzortzi (2008, p. 282) claim that the absence of a language of space in which to formulate clear distinctions between one kind of spatial layout and another created the attention to museum space. The theory of space syntax includes descriptive and analytical instruments, in other words, the language defining the museum space. Precisely speaking, the theory considers organizational and architectural issues influencing the perception of visitors. For instance, so-called churning effect was stated by Hillier and Tzortzi. It is expressed in the situation when people face something difficult to note in museum space, but it tends to be more socially exciting than those aspects that are far-famed.

Comparison of Duncan and Hillier and Tzortzis Texts

Speaking of the differences between two described above approaches, it is necessary to mention that unlike Duncan who supposes that visitors perform a ritual scenario, Hillier and Tzortzi focus on the architectural organization of the museum space. However, one might note some similarities as well. For example, they argue that the museum space undoubtedly affects the perception of visitors. The varied architecture, the organization of exhibits along with the corresponding atmosphere prevailing in a particular museum make a person penetrate in time that is presented in the gallery.

The relation of approaches to the British Museum is seen in its architectural composition and spiritual fulfilment (The British Museum n.d.a). These two texts changed my comprehension of the gallery spaces at the British Museum. For instance, the Parthenon marbles put on display by Lord Elgin from 1806 in Burlington House appeared in a completely different light (The British Museum n.d.b, p. 36). The number of sculptures, their location, display, and gallery space in general conduct more vivid perception of exhibits combining architectural and ritual approaches. I understood that museum spaces influence even my conscious mind making me interested in museum galleries and exhibits more and more.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the authors raise an important social issue of modern life. Nowadays museums continue to play a great role in the preservation of cultural and historical heritage. In this regard, common ground for both approaches is that the exhibition space could capture the attention to museums contributing to the formation of social interest to the history and culture.

References

Duncan, C 2003, Art museums and the ritual of citizenship in S Pearce (ed.), Interpreting Objects and Collections, Routledge, New York, pp. 279-286.

Hillier, B & Tzortzi, K 2008, Space Syntax: The Language of Museum Space in S MacDonald (ed.), Companion to Museum Studies, Wiley-Blackwell, Malden, pp. 282-301.

The British Museum, n.d.a, Accessing enlightenment: study guide, Web.

The British Museum, n.d.b, The Parthenon Sculptures, Web.

Introduction

At the moment, the Vancouver Art Gallery is located in what was previously the provincial courthouse. The former courthouse is an impressive and imposing building built originally in 1906 and has been constructed following the neo-classical style. In readiness for its conversion into an art gallery, the building underwent a massive renovation exercise and is today the Vancouver Art Gallery that we have come to identify with. The VGA is Canadas fifth-largest art gallery but in Western Australia, it is the largest. It is located at the intersection of Robson Square and West Georgia Street.

Vancouver Art Gallery

As the center of the urban, business, and the tour operations in the city, the dynamic movement of people in the streets brings out the ideas of the space of visuality and multiculturalism. In this paper, I will investigate how space is produced and reproduced through by way of examining a specific space-Vancouver art gallery. First, the Vancouver Art Gallery shall be explored within the context of the former courthouse, then as an art gallery for nearly 30 years.

The size of the VAG is approximately 41,400 square feet, and the cumulative art collection at this gallery has been estimated at 8000. The exterior of the Vancouver art gallery was built in 1911 as the provincial courthouse and had been designed by Francis Rattenbury. The marble that was used in constructing the VAG had to be imported from Vermont and Tennessee. There are iconic columns that adorn the neoclassical building, whose original size was 165,000 square feet.

Formal porticos, ornate stonework, and a central dome are additional features that characterize this neoclassical building. Initially, the current-day VAG was home to some 18 courtrooms (Fairley 143). In 1912, an annex to the building was constructed, although this particular section does not constitute the actual gallery. However, the National Heritage list features the annex. Also, the original benches of the judge are to be found in the annex, along with additional features that characterized the courthouse. The most likable features of the Court House are the two lions that flank what was once the main entrance on Georgia Street.

The official appreciation of the building recognizes the exterior structure and interior designs (Vogel 23). The building has also heritage value. This is because the former courthouse was set aside as a national historic landmark due to its enduring existence and attractive visual perception and a symbol of Canadas justice system. Truly, this is a paradigm of its function.

As a permanent building that was constructed for practicing law in British Columbia, this landmark is an illustration of the significance the Canadians have held to a strong legal system (Vogel 23). Since the creation of the judicial district in 1892, by 1906, it was necessary to have new facilities since many changes had taken place (Roth 123). The law court building is a very typical illustration of the neo-classical design that was highly regarded in North America in the 19^th and 20^th centuries  Beaux Art Traditional era (Vancouver Art Gallery 12).

Neoclassical is a term used in architecture about those buildings whose design has been inspired by classical architecture that are to be found in either Rome or Greece. The former Law court building was a very strong concrete construction that was designed in grand classical design. It is located on the city block in Georgia, Howe, and Robson. It is a monumental landmark that is found in the central business district of Vancouver. That building now functions as the gallery of Vancouver city.

A Neoclassical building is likely to have some (but not necessarily all) of these features: symmetrical shape, tall columns that rise the full height of the building, triangular pediment, domed roof (www.architecture.about.com). Rattenbury played all the right notes of neoclassical style  a façade colonnade, columned and pediment portico flanked by imperial lions, and a Palladian rotunda-to serenade the local judiciary with a flattering tune. However, he lacked the skill and rigor, the hard edge of discipline and restraint that sounds the chord of perfect classical proportion.

The interior of the rotunda is more deftly handled than the buildings outside detail. To enter the building today, one has to go through the back door. The pleasurable sense of the importance of both the buildings status (as the Vancouver Art Gallery) and ones approach to it that once characterized the building has unfortunately been lost in the change of use.

Adjacent to the building and adjoining Georgia Street is the Centennial Fountain. Installed in 1996, it is a symbol of the unification of both Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Here is one notion of how sacred architecture is transferred to the secular building in the modern era. The origin of classical architecture started from the rise of ancient Greece up to the fall of the Roman Empire. At the time, great buildings were constructed according to precise details.

Marcus Vitruvius, an architect of Roman descent, was convinced that there is a need for builders to utilize mathematical principles during the process of constructing temples. For without symmetry and proportion, no temple can have a regular plan. The house of God as a sacred space was transferred on power and the authority of the Courthouse which had been constructed for practicing law in British Columbia and as an illustration of the significance, the Canadians have held to a strong legal system. This landmark puts more meaning in secular space, aside from the sacred.

The momentum of moving the art gallery to the site of the old courthouse was the occurrence of the potlatch deprivations, aboriginal land seizures, and the violent arrest of First Nations activist Leonard Pelletier. The artist and curator Doreen Jensen advocated for this movement. This is a reflection of the gallerys contentious history and as such, the old building of the courthouse was shifted to the VAG following a very big fundraising activity.

Nowadays, the VAG functions as a gathering place; numerous protesters, tourists, spectators, shoppers move through this space. The protesters use visuality in front of the art gallery as a participator in an experience of representations. They gather with any issues and circulate through space and use the facilities of the gallery and move out. This tells us that the lived experience is directly associated with images. In other words, the art gallery is presenting peoples movement as a visual representation outside while the regulation of the movement of people inside the art gallery makes it quiet.

Conclusion

Lefebvre argued that social space is produced and reproduced in connection with the forces of production (and with the relations of production). (Lefebvre 77). I suggest the VAG is one of the good examples that showing us the process of produced and reproduced. The sacred classical architecture adopted and produced as the courthouse reflects the secular life, while the neoclassical architecture provides an enduring visual landmark and symbol of justice and an exemplar of its functional type then reproduced as the art gallery after the historical contentions, and now it has an important role as a social gathering place.

Works Cited

Fairley, Jim. The Way We Were: The Story Of The Old Vancouver Courthouse. J. Fairley; North Vancouver, 1993.

Kostof, Spiro., Castillo, Greg., & Tobias. Richard. A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals, London; Oxford University Press 1995.

Lee, John. Vancouver, Vancouver; Lonely Planet, 2008.

Lefebvre, Henri. The production of space. 1999. London: Wiley.

Roth, Leland. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning. Boulder; Westview Press, 2007.

Vancouver Art Gallery. The Case for Taking the Vancouver Art Gallery to Court, Vancouver; Vancouver Art Gallery Association, 1998.

Vogel, Aynley. Vancouver: A History In Photographs, Vancouver: Talon books, 2009.

Lutz Dammbeck’s documentary entails a research work drawn from internet, archival as well as interview sources in which we are taken on a journey to examine early internet history and it’s cultish and covert government protected aspects. In this documentary Das Netz tries to analyze the social aspects that contribute to the parallel development on the Internet. This brings about dialogue around the arrival of the net as broadly conceived and arguably, experimental tool (Kluitenber 214).

Dammbeck brings out two events one concerning the Unabomber, his life and motivations as well as the present thoughts. His concern about Ted Kaczynski, a boy-genius Harvard-educated math wiz becoming an ultimate murderer made him write a letter concerning his behavior. In response to the letter, Kaczynski showed an element of a thoughtful man of an all knowing arrogance and an isolated autodidact with a considerable prophetic punch.

He introduces a virtual world asking Dammbeck if he would like people to live there. In addition, he brought out questions concerning how it would be if machines were smarter than people, if the future of people, animal and plants become the product of technology and he argues that any contrary perception on these ideas means that computer and biological sciences are dangerous (Davis 47).

Dammbecks second concern is based on how the avant-garde ideas of the 1960s, which stressed open systems, improvisation, as well as the loops between conscious and media, found their way inside the contemporary technological culture to an extent of web 2.0. A secret basic pattern: cybernetics brings out to the right, the factors contributing to this issue (Bousque 63).

The principles of the cybernetics are developed by Norbert Wiener who articulates them as a science of “control and communication”, which equally applies to technological and biological systems.

The cybernetics holds that human mind is not able to so much produce or reflect reality as well as calculate it. Besides, these “reality engines” function with regard to their perceptual frameworks, cultural artifacts together with feedback loops that they are open to change and control.

Roy (153) noted that “Being an element of a cybernetic system as brought out in the documentary entails being involved in an evolving loop, by becoming both the subject and the object of experimentation whereby, this has been the developed relation between scientific inquiry and world of changing technology.” In addition McCullagah (123) says that “The environments that define this relationship are reshaped in ways such as self-affecting loops being the vectors of a radical constructivism, an artificialization of existence”

The cybernetics has also systematized human consciousness by transforming thought into “data processing”, with the implication that the brain is no longer a place of mysteriously creating ego and identity through memory and consciousness, rather is a machine with a switching and controlling circuit, a system where cause is effect and vice versa within an infinite cycle (Debord 175).

Dammbeck’s interview with Robert Taylor, the head of ARPAnet brings out the concept of network in a sense of a highly-connected, global; mechanize system that enhances sharing of information, with internet element boosting this linkage.

This has greatly improved the way of communication based on technology as the internet has enabled a networked sphere of private, academic, social, business, and others networks of local and global scope that are linked or networked by technologies, such as media, military and private social and economic sectors (Fuller 102).

However, the documentary has brought out clearly the opposite of positive internet effects. Besides facilitating powerful operations of identification and control, such as surveillance for both the security and operational categories, it creates vast isolation which includes that of mechanized systems.

It also obfuscates optimism; progress and order as it alienates people from one another as they look to be open in the everyday world (Debord 185). Possibilities of dehumanizing isolation, identification control and critical entropy in social implication and disorder are brought by the open systems due to manipulations through feedback operations.

As a result, the military-industrial complex in provision of underlying operations of identification and control issues in weapons, security and surveillance design and development, has proved these systems invaluable since as it is easier to acquire information outside your location while others can do the same in accessing your internal Information (Galloway 154).

On the other hand Davies quotes that “Osmose hand is immersive interactive virtual reality environment installation with a 3D computer graphics together with interactive 3D sound, a head mounted display and real time motion tracking based on breathing and balance.”

Haggerty & Ericson (617) said that “It is a space of exploring the perceptual interplay between self and world- place of facilitating awareness of one’s own self as consciousness embodied in enveloping space.” Multiple worlds that fascimilate natural environments are experienced by the viewers, with the help of body vest, stereoscopic VR and headset displays.

The experience of the immersant is shared by other viewers through the use of simultaneous live video projection in an environment that conveys the notion of viewership, reality and control. The control aspect takes over, as when a single immersant engages the Osmose virtual world, other viewers are forced to engage in the experience of that single user, as he controls his experience within the expansive confines of the multi-world universe of Osmose (Chun 253).

The database of virtual shows the observer many simulated objects from nature. Just as it is possible for digital images to be displayed on various mediums, it is possible for virtual art to exhibit in a variety of formats on different operates. For instance, on HMDs, in CAVEs, large screens, and through computation of real time which makes the fleeting image spaces achieve the effect of actually existing.

Haggerty (231) say that “These artists have developed software which has created new techniques of manufacturing image spaces, such as the Radiosity process which was developed by Davies, this software as well creates artificial creatures and gives the feeling of being inside the image space.” For example, in avatars, the incorporation of depiction of bodies within the image space which tag along their user’s movement akin to puppets can develop the immersive effect even more (Bogard 149).

Webster (76) noted that “This element enables our body’s systems of communication and senses to enter into processes of give and take with imaginable kind of simulated creature further more, the global data networks together with the telepresence technique that enables access and exchange of images represents a new epistemology communicated by media.”

Regardless of the fact that the technology constrains the outcome of artists, Walter (118) says that “he has vast options at his disposal that are able to bring about a metamorphosis vis a vis the observer, implying that new spaces, which cannot be represented by older computer processing models, are coming into existence for the interactive, processual reception of art.”

According to Char Davies’ claim, interactive installation Osmose entails our subjective experience as sentient, embodied, incarnate, living beings embedded in enveloping, flowing space. Char’s focus is based on reminding people of their connection to natural environment, including biological, spiritual and psychological aspects in form of regenerative sources and mythological ground, rather than projecting artificial worlds (Rogers 87).

Her intention was to do away with the culturally-created distance that evolves between the subject-viewer and the world, by employing methods which involved circumventing the linear perspective conventions, Cartesian space and objective realism- which were inherent to the computer as progeny of western civilization (Manovich 212).

As displayed in Osmose, simple descriptions are used to identify the networked worlds such as; the Clearing, the Forest, the Grid, the Subterranean world among others, and one is able to enter one space such as the leaves’ and the pond’s into strange locations such as the clearing and the water pool (Galloway 120).

According to Jon McCormick, in Osmose, there are travel scenes on which, being in a journey, your destiny is almost controlled and not determined by you (Burnett 54). Though you have choices to make, you will eventually find yourself somewhere. “This reply from immersion in Osmose affirms that artists’ principle that it is possible to transcend traditional interface gaps between machine and human.”

This is so even when re-affirming our corporeality. Additionally, Cartesian notions of space and illustrative realism can effectively be replaced by more evocative alternatives (Fleischer 31).

On the other hand, Valleywag (311) notes that “Osmose public installation includes large-scale stereoscopic video and audio projection with transmitted sound in real-time from the individual’s immersion point-of-view and that the projection enables audience to witness each immersive journey as it unfolds even though that the immersion take place in a private area, a translucent screen- a video screen size- enables audience to observe the immersant’s activities.”

An artist realizes that Immersion in Osmose is dependent on the living acts of the body, to attain a particular state of being within the virtual world. This gives isolation a major concern since the artist’s objective is relating the immersion not to others but to his own self’s profundity (McQuire 95).

In conclusion these two works, ‘The net’ and ‘Osmose’, raise many questions and arguments towards the topic of Network, space and Environment Aesthitcs in digital theory. Lutz Dammbeck’s ‘The net’, shows a cinematic cyber history since the cold-war era and draws the linkage between the ARPANet and cyber-netics views.

Dammbeck sought to show the diverse social theories contributing to the parallel emergence of the internet, although it did not identify any fundamental and important link between counter-cultural consciousness and the tendency towards a techno-utopia. It assumes that the perception of the digital information tends to be free and provides a wider scope of description of conceptual frameworks vital in the internet culture war and cyber-cultures in society as of now (McCullagh 216).

The film argues that networks enhance surveillance on a diversified location from a fixed point, making it easier to coordinate and control both the operation and the security of a given area respectively. However, the imposition of networks enables other parties to access private, confidential and crucial information, not intended to be enclosed to public, that is, violation privacy affecting confidentiality of particular bodies, such as media, security bodies, government and other organizations (Barnet 71).

Davies’ ‘Osmose’, is more of a philosophical work and it tries to show a non-dualist world view that foresees the “human self in the natural environment, instead of a man-made one.”

Davies uses methodologies like “objective realism, Cartesian space and circumventing the conventions of linear perspective to neutralize the culture-created separation between the observer and the world.” Just like Dammbeck, Davies is concerned of the observed and the observer and that freedom and control should be emphasized in promoting media technology (Munster & Munster 216).

Works Cited

Barnet, Belinda. Infomobility and Technics: Some Travel Notes 1000 Days of Theory. Zalabaska: CUP, 1999. Print.

Bogard, William. The Simulation of Surveillance, Zalabaska: CUP, 1996. Print.

Bousquet, Marc. Beyond the Voting Machine. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2003. Print.

Burnett, Ron. How Images Think. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005. Print.

Chun, Wendy. Control and Freedom: Power and Paranoia in the Age of Fiber Optics. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2006. Print.

Davis, Erik.. Speaking with the Dead: Philip K. Dick. Charlotte: Frontwheeldrive, 2003. Print.

Debord, Guy-Ernest.. Introduction to a Critique of Urban Geography. Paris: Les Lèvres Nues, 1955. Print.

Fleischer, Peter. How long should Google remember searches? Miami: Rista-lee, 2007. Print.

Fuller, Mathew. Seams, Memes and Flecks of Identity in Media Ecologies: Materialist Energies in Art and Technoculture, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2005. Print.

Galloway, Alexander. The Exploit: A Theory of Networks. Minneapolis: Minnesota Press, 2007. Print.

Galloway, Alexander. Protocol vs. Institutionalization’ in New Media, Old Medi. NY: Routledge, 2003. Print.

Haggerty, Kevin & Ericson, Richard. The Surveillant Assemblage. British Journal of Sociology. June,2000: 605-622. Print.

Kluitenber, Eric. Personal communication. Riga: Melniks, 2004. Print.

Manovich, Lev. New Media: Capture, Store, Interface, Search.

Amsterdam: University of Amsterdam, 2005. Print.

McCullagh, Declan. AOL’s disturbing glimpse into users’ lives. Bangalore: CNET, 2006. Print.

McCullagh, Declan. AOL gaffe draws Capitol Hill rebuke. Bangalore: CNET, 2006. Print.

McQuire, Samuen. Mobility, Cosmopolitanism and Public Space in the Media City Urban Screens Reader. Amsterdam: Institute of Network Cultures, 2009. Print.

Munster, Anna & Lovink, Geert. Theses on Distributed Aesthetics. Or, What a Network is Not. The fibreculture journal, April 2005: 541-576. Print.

Rogers, Richard. Consumer Technology after Surveillance Theory. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2008. Print.

Roy, Christopher. Tracking Critical Net Culture: Geert Lovink.

Charlotte: Front-wheel-drive, 2002. Print.

Valleywag, Tonnie. Beacon protests a hundred times smaller than News Feed uproar. Boston: Harvard University Press, 2007. Print.

Walter, Benjamin. The Arcades Project, tran. Boston: Harvard University Press, 1999. Print.

Webster, Graham. Doug Jones Sneezed. Minneapolis: Minnesota Press, 2006. Print.

Executive Summary

The important finding of the study is that there is a significant likelihood for people to travel into space. The descriptive statistics of income allocated to space tourism shows that about 90% of the respondents are willing to allocate the income that they earn within a period of less than a year. Additionally, descriptive statistics of respondents’ occupations indicate that the majority of respondents are white-collar professionals, blue-collar employees, and students.

Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis also shows that the level of education, age, and cost of space tourism are significant predictors of income allocated to space tourism. However, income allocated to space tourism does not vary according to the gender and occupation of potential tourists. In spite of the robust findings, the limitations are biased representation of potential customers and poor responses, which reduce both internal and external validities of the study.

Research Objectives

1. To perform descriptive analysis of the income allocated to the space tourism and the current occupation of a potential space tourists.
2. Test the hypothesis using one-sample t-test to establish the willingness of respondents to undertake space tourism.
3. To determine the influence of gender on income allocated to space tourism using independent samples t-test.
4. Perform one-way ANOVA to determine the differences of income allocated among the occupations of respondents.
5. Chi-square test to determine the association between the amounts of income allocated to the space tourism and preferred length of stay in space.
6. Determine predictors of income allocated to space tourism using multiple regression test.

Descriptive Statistics

Income Prepared to Allocated to the Space Trip

Analysis of the proportion of income that potential tourists are willing to spend on space tourism is important because it indicates their purchasing power. Gibson (2012) argues that a space tourism company needs to understand the amount of potential money that customers are willing to spend on space tourism so that it can design products and tourism packages that meet the demands of customers, as well as enable the company to optimize profits.

Table 1

From the descriptive table, measures of central tendency are 2.87, 3, and 3 for mean, median, and mode respectively. This means that the majority of the respondents are willing to spend on space tourism income that they earn in 3 months.

Regarding measures of dispersion, standard deviation indicates that the majority of respondents are willing to spend on space tourism between one week’s income and 3 months’ income (M = 2.87±1.337). Although respondents indicate that they are willing to spend the amount of money that ranges from a month’s income to 5-years’ income, the allocated income skews towards income earned in less than a year.

The frequency table indicates the distribution of respondents according to the amount of income they are willing to spend on space tourism. The significant information in the frequency table is that most of the respondents (86) are willing to spend 3 months’ income on space tourism, followed by a month’s income (82), and the third is a week’s income (38).

Figure 1

The histogram illustrates the distribution of income among different periods, which shows that most respondents are willing to spend between 3 months’ income to a month’s income on space tourism. Moreover, it illustrates the skewed distribution towards short periods of income.

Current Occupation

The current occupation of the potential customers is important to the space tourism because it enables marketing managers to understand the nature of customers they are targeting. For the space tourism to be successful, it must target certain kind of customers and define its market niche by targeting customers with specific socioeconomic attributes such as occupation.

Table 2

The measures of central tendency in the descriptive table are 4.22, 4, and 4 for mean, median, and mode respectively. These descriptive statistics imply that the white-collar professionals formed the majority of the respondents. Comparatively, measures of dispersion show that the respondents’ occupations comprise of students, blue-collar, white-collar, contractors and businesspersons (M = 4±2.54).

The frequency table above shows the distribution of respondents according to their occupations. The leading respondents are white-collar professionals (149) followed by students (123), and then blue-collar employees (73) come third. The histogram illustrates that white-collar professionals and students are major respondents.

Figure 2

Testing of Hypotheses

The Likelihood of Traveling in Space

H₀: There is no significant likelihood of the person wanting to travel into space, having the interest, and having undertaking.

H₁: There is a very significant likelihood of the person wanting to travel into space, having the interests and having undertaking.

Table 3

From the one-sample test table, it is evident that all variables that measure the likelihood of a person wanting to travel into space, having the interest, and having the undertakings are statistically significant (p<0.05). This implies that the test rejects the null hypothesis and accepts that alternative hypothesis, which states that there is a very significant likelihood of the person wanting to travel into space, having the interests and having undertaking.

Gender and Income Allocated to Space

Hypotheses

H₀: The amounts of income that male and female respondents are willing to allocate to space tourism are not significantly different

H₁: The amounts of income that male and female respondents are willing to allocate to space tourism are significantly different.

Table 4

The independent samples t-test shows that the difference in the amounts of income that male and female respondents are willing to allocate to space tourism are not significantly different (p>0.05). Hence, it implies that the independent t-test fails to reject the null hypothesis, and hence, male and female respondents have equal capacities of being space tourists.

Current Occupation and Income Allocated to Space Tourism

Hypotheses

H₀: The amounts of income allocated to space tourism have no significant differences across the occupations.

H₁: The amounts of income allocated to space tourism have significant differences across the occupations..

Table 5

The ANOVA table shows that there is no significant difference in the amounts of income allocated to space tourism among respondents in diverse occupations (p>0.05). Post hoc analysis also affirms that there is no significant difference in the amounts of income allocated among diverse occupations. Hence, the ANOVA test fails to reject the null hypothesis and affirms that occupations does not influence income allocated to space tourism.

The Association between Income Allocated and Preferred Length of Stay

Hypotheses

H₀: There is no significant association between income allocated to space tourism and preferred length of stay.

H₁: There is a significant association between income allocated to space tourism and preferred length of stay.

The chi-square test indicates that there is a significant association between income allocated to space tourism and preferred length of stay (p<0.05). This means that the amount of income allocated determines length of stay in space.

Multiple Regression Analysis

Hypotheses

H₀: Level of education, preferred length of stay, cost, and age are not significant predictors of income allocated to tourism.

H₁: Level of education, preferred length of stay, cost, and age are significant predictors of income allocated to tourism.

Table 6

The multiple regression coefficient (R) is 0.622, which means that this regression model predicts the income allocated to space tourism.

Table 7

Moreover, the multiple regression coefficient is significant (p<0.05). This means that the regression analysis rejects the null hypothesis and accepts the alternative one, which states that level of education, preferred length of stay, cost, and age are significant predictors of income allocated to tourism

Table 8

The coefficient table shows that all the independent variables are significant predictors except preferred length of stay. Hence, regression model has the following equation: –

Income allocated = 0.757 + (0.106 × education level) + (0.089 × preferred length of stay) + (0.585 × Cost) + (0.095 × age).

Discussion, Interpretation, and Implications of the Findings

The descriptive statistics of the income allocated to the space tourism indicates that most potential tourists are willing to spend less than a year’s income on space tourism. Specifically, most of the respondents are willing to spend between 6 months’ income and a week’s income on space tourism.

This implies that marketing managers need to tailor products of space tourism to suit the purchasing power of the potential customers, which should not exceed a year’s income. If the marketing managers design products that suit a year’s income, they will target about 90% of the potential customers, which is quite significant.

Regarding the descriptive statistics of the current occupation, the occupations of the majority of the respondents are white-collar professionals, blue-collar employees, and students. This means that marketing managers need to target people with these occupations because they are potential customers who are willing to travel in space.

According to Crouch (2001), estimation of the market size is a considerable challenge that space tourism is facing. In this view, the descriptive statistics indicate that white-collar professionals, blue-collar employees, and students are the potential customers, and thus enabling marketing managers to focus their attention on them.

Hypothesis testing to establish if there is a very significant likelihood of the people wanting to travel into space, having the interests, and having undertaking gives robust findings to the space tourism.

The hypothesis indicates that the existence of the significant likelihood that potential customers want to do astronomical observation, take risks in recreation and leisure, travel to the poles, play sports, and travel to space. These findings have considerable implication to space tourism as it informs marketing managers of the existence of a huge market, which they need to tap and utilize in expanding space tourism.

Gender is demographic factor that may influence the distribution of resources and consequently income allocated to space tourism. In establishing if there is any significant difference in the allocation of income between male and female respondents, the findings show that the difference is insignificant.

Jordan (2008) asserts that gendered space tourism creates an exclusive environment, which has detrimental effects on the growth of space tourism. In this view, marketing managers should target potential customers equally, irrespective of their gender because they have equal capacity in allocating their income to space tourism.

Analysis of variance indicates that the allocation of income to space tourism does not vary according to the occupation. Given that occupation does not influence allocation of income to space tourism, marketing managers should target potential customers equally without considering their occupations.

Moreover, marketing managers should understand that what matters to the space tourism is the purchasing power of customers, and not their occupation. Hjalager (2007) states that economic globalization is a driving force of tourism, which marketing managers need to harness in targeting potential customers.

The chi­-square test established that there is a significant association between preferred length of stay and income allocated. This information is important to marketing managers because it helps them in designing tourism packages according to the purchasing power of customers and preferred length of stay.

In this view, marketing managers should understand that those who plan to use income earned in a short period want to take a short period in space, while those who plan to use income earned in a long period want to stay for a long period in space.

Multiple regression analysis shows that the level of education, cost of space tourism, and age are significant predictors of income allocated to space tourism. These predictors correlate positively with the income allocated to space tourism. Hence, marketing managers need to understand that educational level, pay for a two-day trip and one night stay, and age determine the amount of income that potential tourists allocate to space tourism.

This means that potential tourists with different education levels and different ages require unique packages that suit their needs. Botterill and Platenkamp (2012) argue that the tourism industry should customize their products according to the unique needs of their customers. Hence, marketing managers should utilize these findings in customizing their products according to the needs of space tourists.

Conclusion

Descriptive analysis of income allocated to space tourism shows that about 90% of the respondents are willing to spend income that they earn within a period of less than a year. Moreover, descriptive statistics of occupation indicate that the majority of respondents are white-collar professionals, blue-collar employees, and students. Importantly, the findings indicate that there is a significant likelihood for people to travel into space.

The chi-square test indicates that the length of stay associate with the income allocated to space tourism. Multiple regression analysis also shows that the level of education, age, and cost of space tourism are significant predictors of income allocated to space tourism. However, income allocated to space tourism does not vary according to the gender and occupation of potential tourists.

The limitation of the analysis is that most of the respondents are white-collar professionals, blue-collar employees, and students, and thus do not significantly represent the potential customers of space tourism. Additionally, about half of the respondents did not answer the questionnaires well regarding income allocated to space tourism; hence, making statistical analysis to have low internal and external validities.

References

Botterill, D & Platenkamp, V 2012, Key Concepts in Tourism Research, SAGE Publisher, New York.

Crouch, G. 2001, ‘The Market for Space Tourism: Early Indications’, Journal of Travel Research, vol. 40 no. 2, pp. 213-219.

Gibson, D 2012, Commercial Space Tourism: Impediments to Industrial Development and Strategic Communication Solutions, Bentham Science Publishers, Sharjah.

Hjalager, A 2007, ‘Stages in the Economic Globalization of Tourism’, Annals of Tourism Research, vol. 34 no. 2, pp. 437-457.

Jordan, F 2008, ‘Performing tourism: Exploring the Productive Consumption of Tourism in Enclavic Spaces’, International Journal of Tourism Research, vol. 10 no. 4, pp. 293-304.

Introduction and Background

Tourism is a very rewarding economic activity in the present world, as it is among the largest income generators in many states and countries. For many years, countries have underscored the importance of tourism and its contribution to their economies. However, the act of underscoring the importance of tourism has gradually changed for a number of states have seen the benefits that accrue from organized management of tourism.

Unfortunately, several countries focus on common and traditional forms of tourism, such as beach tourism and expeditions to national parks and reserves. Stakeholders in the field of tourism, including the host government, communities, private investors, and the tourists accord little attention to alternative forms of tourism.

Alternative forms of tourism include leisure, sport, adventure, ecotourism, and space tourism. Therefore, it is against this background that the research assesses the viability of space tourism as proposed by Sir Richard Branson in terms of market size, number of potential consumers, their perceptions, willingness, and expectations regarding the space tourism.

Marketing Research Problem

Tourism stakeholders like the government, private investors, service providers, non-governmental organizations, tourists, and the host communities have overlooked the benefits of diversifying tourism for a long time. Instead, these stakeholders emphasize on the development and consumption of common and prominent tourism products such as the expedition to national parks and reserves, as well as beach tourism, which incorporates sightseeing of elements like sand, sun, nature, and sea.

The development and extensive marketing of these common forms of tourism has resulted in the degradation of these destinations. The degradation of these destinations is due to the large number of tourists visiting the attractions.

These tourists usually exceed the carrying capacity that the subject tourist destination can comfortably support. Additionally, the large numbers of tourists increase the susceptibility of the destination to degradation owing to the trampling of vegetation, fire outbreaks, pollution, and other negative effects associated with tourism.

Extensive marketing of tourism attractions such as national parks, lakes, oceans, and seas, has led to pronounced degradation in the destination. Many tourists throng the tourist sites in these regions and in turn initiate several negative effects that only serve to degrade the destination and reduce the overall worth and value of the subject attraction.

Additionally, it has led to increased negative effects like pollution, which comprises environmental, soil, water, and air pollution. Environmental pollution occurs when tourists in a given destination dump solid wastes in the attraction site, especially outside designated waste bins.

Soil pollution takes place when waste from service providers like hotels and travel agencies seep into the ground. On the other hand, when tourism establishments release their wastes into water bodies like rivers and seas, it causes water pollution. Smoke from vehicles and emissions from tourist establishments leads to air pollution.

Fire outbreaks, trampling, and destruction of vegetation are other negative effects, which transpire because of too much emphasis on common tourism attractions. Due to marketing and promotions on the common attractions, many tourists travel to these destinations and initiate negative impacts, which lead to depreciation of attractions. Mass tourists break vegetation, trample on grass and other small vegetations, and hence, destroy the vegetation found in subject attraction.

Furthermore, the large number of tourists increases the chances of carelessness that can sometimes result in dire consequences like fires in the tourist destination. The host community suffers from the effects initiated by the absence of alternative forms of tourism such as space tourism. The effects that the host community experience include child labor, increased cost of living, scarcity of resources due to high demand, and diversion of infrastructure to tourism facilities.

Due to the absence of alternative forms of tourism, the pressure exerted on traditional tourism destinations led to short life cycles of the tourism products. Many of the destinations degrade and depreciate quickly and end up as desolate and derelict regions. The desolate nature of the destinations owed their states to the strain exerted on them by the tourists and tourism establishments. In addition, many tourism stakeholders fail to enjoy the revenues accruing from tourism due unsustainable use of tourism products and resources.

Due to the absence of alternative forms of tourism levels in these areas declined since many tourists have already consumed tourism products from these destinations. Consequently, the absence of alternative forms of tourism limited the products of tourism only to those tourists who consume traditional and common tourism products leaving out potential tourists attracted to alternative and unique tourism products.

The Research Aims and Objectives

1. Examine the existence of potential tourists who can consume unique products of space tourism.
2. Determine the market size of space tourism because it is a new product in the tourism market.
3. Establish demographic characteristics of potential space tourists.
4. Assess the expectations and interests of potential space tourists.
5. Find out the perceptions and attitudes of individuals concerning space tourism.

The Research Questions

1. Do potential tourists of space tourism exist?
2. What is the market size of space tourism as an alternative form of tourism?
3. What are the demographic characteristics of potential space tourists?
4. What are the expectations of potential space tourists?
5. What are the perceptions and attitudes of individuals concerning space tourism?

Discussion

Alternative Forms of Tourism and Space Tourism

Popular and common tourist destinations experience challenges such as degradation, pollution, fire outbreaks, trampling of vegetation, pressure on social resources, and short life cycles of destinations due to increased tours. The presence of these challenges necessitates the need to diversify tourism and introduce alternative forms of tourism (Casino & Hanna 2000).

The challenges also compel stakeholders in the field of tourism to think of diverse forms of tourism so that they would not only cater for the needs of tourists attracted to alternative forms, but also reduce the strain exerted on traditional tourism destinations.

In addition, diversification of tourism would help distribute demand and increase the spectrum of available tourism products. Leisure tourism, sport tourism, and space tourism were among the forms of alternative tourism, which private and public stakeholders have introduced in the field of tourism.

Space tourism is the latest form of alternative tourism that involves travel to the space. It is a unique form of tourism since it goes beyond the odds of common tourism products usually consumed on earth. Russian Space Agency dominated space transport for a number of years, but other companies such as Virgin Galactic, owned by Sir Richard Branson are gradually entering the world of space tourism.

According to Crouch (2001), space tourism is a form of tourism that comprises of tours to the space for a period that exceeds a day and does extend beyond one year. Furthermore, space tourism does not only increase the amount of tourism products available for potential tourists, but it also introduces a completely new chapter in the field of tourism.

Market Size for Space Tourism

Space tourism serves to cater for the needs of space tourists who are usually explorers, adventurers, drifters, business people, and leisure tourists. Products offered by space tourism are unique as they include sightseeing of features in the sky from a close range. In addition, space tourists get the rare opportunity of looking at the earth from the space and travelling around it.

Other products that space tourism offers include sightseeing of features such as millions of galaxies, stars, the earth, and the solar system. According to (Brown 2004), astronomical observation and space walk also comprise other products offered by space tourism. Sightseeing, space walk, astronomical observation, and a journey to the moon are some of the products that best meet the requirements of space tourists.

Many elderly individuals and young explorers are some of the potential consumers of products offered by space tourism. The main factors that determine the willingness and ability to consume products offered by space tourism include the purchasing power, buying behaviour, price of products, and perceptions of product quality.

According to Collins et al. (1994), it is essential to understand that for tourism to progress, public and private stakeholders need to price tourism products within the purchasing power of potential consumers.

Since consumer perceived product quality determines the willingness of consumers to use the products, it is important that service providers in space tourism design their facilities in a way that appeals to the potential tourists and increases their willingness to travel. Space tourism is a new form of tourism, and therefore, extensive marketing is required for increased awareness of space tourism products to potential consumers.

Characteristics of Potential Space Tourists

Space tourists are individuals who like exploration, adventure, leisure, and drifting. Therefore, the main set of consumers that space tourism marketers need to target include young individuals, wealthy businesspeople, and the elderly people who are adventurous. Many space tourists are individuals who like thrilling activities, as they like unconventional products of tourism because they are unique and exciting.

Market segmentation is essential so that public and private facilities offering space products reach out to the right set of consumers. Hall (2013) states that the understanding of the type and characteristics of space consumers helps the service providers to understand the correct market segment, buying behaviours, purchasing power and patterns, as well as demographic attributes of potential tourists. With good understanding of space tourism, service providers will be in a better position to provide the best products to their potential consumers.

Explorers, drifters, and adventurous tourists are usually the primary consumers of tourism products, they form the first set of consumers that visit an attraction, and they sometimes take part in the initial activities of destination development. Therefore, since space tourism is a new and unique form of tourism with a number of thrilling and exciting experiences, explorers, drifters, and adventurous tourists will form the first category of tourists to enjoy its products.

It is fundamental for private and public stakeholders in the field of tourism to understand the spending habits of explorers and adventurous tourists so that they can price their products within the purchasing power of potential consumers (Crouch 2001). Since many activities involved in the design and production of space tours are relatively high, service providers offering space tourism products need to be cautious when pricing so that they meet their expected targets, and at the same time achieve consumer satisfaction.

Expectations of Potential Space Tourists

Consumers expect product quality to reflect the product price and value utility for their money. Similarly, space tourists expect the products that service providers deliver to posses the same qualities. Space tourists value their money, and thus, they compare the product quality with the price.

Casino and Hanna (2000) highlights that the presence of alternative forms of tourism such as sport and marine tourism makes consumers very selective and keen on aspects that concern product quality and delivery systems.

Since alternative forms of tourism offer services, which can serve the needs of potential space tourists, they can easily persuade consumers of space products, and lure them into their facilities. Therefore, space firms need to be keen on the quality and price of their services as well as that of their competitors. Product quality should match the expectations of consumers so that service providers achieve the much needed consumer satisfaction.

For successful space tourism, service providers in this field need to provide accurate and correct information to their target customers. Collins et al. (1994) argue that giving false information leads to distrust and lack of confidence among the customers. Thus, it is paramount that firms executing space tourism convey information using facts and tangible evidence on the nature of the tour and the quality of their services.

The information is essential to increase the level of awareness among the potential consumers, and furthermore, help in balancing pre-consumption, consumption, and post-consumption customer experiences. Notably, space tourists like other tourists perceive the quality of the products and services based on the information offered by service providers. Therefore, to match perceived product quality and gain consumer trust and loyalty, it is important to provide information that is factual in all aspects.

Perceptions and Attitudes of Individuals Concerning Space Tourism

Many individuals believe that space tourism belongs to the rich and wealthy members of the society, and thus they think that space tourism caters for the needs of the few individuals who have money. Some individuals think that space tourism is not safe, and therefore, they are unwilling to purchase products linked to space tourism. The perceptions owe their presence to the expensive nature of tours and services associated with space tourism.

Consequently, the perceptions that potential consumers hold have great effect on viability of space tourism, and hence, determine their interests and willingness to consume the products that space tourism offers.

Attitudes and perceptions that consumers hold are important as they determine the need and nature of marketing and promoting strategies necessary to influence potential customers to buy products and services of space tourism (Troung & Hall 2013). Furthermore, service providers of the space tourism need to tailor their products in a way that match purchasing power of potential customers.

Conclusion

Space tourism is a very productive form of tourism that helps in diversification tourism to meet increased demand and reduce the strain on common and traditional tourism destinations. Since space tourism is a new form of tourism, many consumers are reluctant to purchase its products. Many potential clients think that space tourism is for the rich and associate it with insecurity.

Some of the requirements that investors in the field of tourism can adopt to enhance viability of space tourism include identifying the existence of tourists, target large market, customize products, and provide unique products. Additionally, service providers in the field of space tourism need to understand the characteristics, expectations, and perceptions of potential space tourists. Assessment of these requirements is effective in determining the viability of space tourism.

References

Brown, F 2004, ‘The Final Frontier Tourism in Space’, Tourism Recreation Research, vol. 29 no. 1, pp. 37-43.

Casino, V, & Hanna, S 2000, ‘Representations and Identities in Tourism Map Space’, Progress in Human Geography, vol. 24 no. 1, pp. 23-46.

Collins, P, Kanayama, H, Iwasaki, Y, Ohnuk, M, & Hanayama, H 1994, ‘Commercial Implications of Market Research on Space Tourism’, Journal of Space Technology and Science: Special Issue on Space Tourism, vol. 10 no. 2, pp 3-11.

Crouch, G 2001, ‘The Market for Space Tourism: Early Indications’, Journal of Travel Research, vol. 40 no. 2, pp. 213-219.

Hall, M 2013, ‘Framing Behavioural approaches to Understanding and Governing Sustainable Tourism Consumption: Beyond Neoliberalism, Nudging and Green Growth’, Journal of sustainable Tourism, vol. 21 no. 7, pp. 1091-1109.

Troung, D & Hall, M 2013, ‘Social Marketing and Tourism: What is the Evidence?’, Social Marketing Quarterly, vol. 19 no. 2, pp. 110-135.

Introduction

Space tourism is a new concept and is defined as traveling to space by human being for adventure and new experience. Recently, the venture of space tourism has become a very popular venture among the elite people in the society. Despite the fact that this form of tourism is expensive, there is a large and growing market for this form of leisure.

Generally, the tour companies involved in this leisure are very limited and only located in very few areas in the world. In this respect, there is need for our company to venture in space tourism in order to cash in on the returns in this sector.

Due to the nature of space tourism, governments have strict and stringent regulations that govern space travel. It will be essential to evaluate all policies that govern space travel in the entire regions where the company wishes to launch its services. However, the government is keen to promote space tourism, as it will be economically and socially beneficial through creation of new employment in aerospace and other related fields that complement the services offered.

Moreover, proper marketing strategies will be employed to unsure that the venture is successful and profitable. Additionally, the firm must also structure how it will deal with competition from other firms providing the same service or new entries to the market.

This paper will analyze the viability of TUI Travel PLC Group of Companies establishing space tourism division in the range of products they offer. Additionally, it will evaluate marketing strategies to use and its feasibility using the pest analysis. Importantly, the paper explores regulations that the government has put in place to control the venture and alternative policies that can help to develop space tourism. Finally, recommendation based on the analysis will be given.

Background information

Primarily, space travel was done for scientific research, but in the recent times, it has evolved to include leisure space travel. The first space travel was done by a young soviet air force pilot in April 12 1961. From this historic venture, other countries have developed spacecrafts mainly for scientific research (Anderson, Piven, 2005, p.10).

For instance, the success of the soviet created much competition in space technology among countries, leading to advanced spaceships. With development of new and advanced spacecrafts, more professional and affluent people are traveling to space for leisure. Importantly, safety in space travel has considerably improved which is a factor promoting space travel. These improvements in space travel lead to cheaper and easier traveling services of tourists from different destinations in the world.

The first paying space tourist is a California investment manager, Dennis Tito, through Space Adventures, a Russian company. Mr. Tito, sixty years old, spent $20 million for his trip (Anderson, Piven, 2005, p.14). Since the adventure of Mr. Tito, space tourism became popular among the affluent people in the society.

Later in 2002, Mr. Mark Shuttleworth, a South African, became the second space tourist. These two first cases of space tourism created a large impact on the public. However, this form of tourism is still in its infancy stage and major development is needed before it can become a booming industry. Moreover, Russian and the United States of America are the initial countries to set up space tourism industries.

Technological advancement is promoting space tourism with development of cheaper and easier-to-manage vehicles, hence lower costs to the tourists. Moreover, market research indicates that many people are thrilled by the prospects of space tourism and are willing to spend large sums of money.

Initially, traveling to space was done using government owned crafts, however private developers and firms are producing new advance vehicles and providing transportation to the space i.e. virgin Galactic. Since the government has much interest in space innovation, it is a key sponsor for development of advanced models. Besides, other smaller organizations are involved in the funding for development of a reusable launch vehicle. Moreover, new reusable launch vehicles have been developed to ease the cost of space transportation.

TUI Travel PLC Group of Companies comprised several tour companies around the world and its head quarters in UK. Since the needs of tourists are constantly changing, the firm needs to develop a space tourism division in its range of products. The company can attract many clients as it has many established clientele in many countries.

New location and Existing Services

Market surveys conducted in the world have indicated that the demand for space tourism services is highest in North America. Surveys done in North America indicate that up to 60 per cent of people surveyed were interested in space tourism. Therefore, TUI Travel PLC Group of Companies will require establishing division of space tourism in North America to cater for these needs.

To facilitate this venture, collaboration with space transportation provider, Virgin Galactic, will be essential. VG is aggressively developing costs friendly space vehicles that will be able to lower the cost of travel considerably. Moreover, since VG is a big player in space launches, this will ensure constant and superior quality of transportation to our customers.

Other companies are offering similar services in the market. Therefore, the company will have to set up strategies that will help its products to compete effectively with the existing services. The leading company in space tourism is Space Adventure, the company that took the first tourist to space; therefore, it enjoys much popularity in the world (OECD, 2004, p.304). Moreover, the currently offered services are suborbital space travel, as it is relatively cheaper than orbital trips.

Destinations in space tourism

The space is an expansive area that humanity is continuously seeking to explore. However, presently, the most viable and realistic areas in space tourism is the sub-orbital flights and the orbital (OECD, 2004, p.124). The current market players have concentrated on sub orbital destination, therefore, our firm can venture into orbital destinations. Sub orbital flights are flights of 100km that take up only a few minutes to the edges of space.

Moreover orbital flights are flights to the orbit and are longer than sub orbital flights as the customers can reside in the international space station facility (OECD International Futures Programme, 2005, p.304). With this, we can attract tourists who have already explored the sub-orbital but also desire to venture further. The firm may provide travel services to the following areas – parabolic, sub orbital, orbital, and lunar destinations.

The firm can also provide services for earth based activities that are related to space travel i.e. high altitude jetfighter flights (Rycroft, 2002, p.232). These spaces related activities will form an interest for the actual space tourism in the people who participate.

Government space policies in America

Space tourism is controlled by government policies and regulations. Generally, space vehicles used by the firm must conform to all local standards. Like any transportation sector, the government has stringent safety regulations that should be met before any licensing is done.

In addition, space tourism is affected by various treaties, conventions, and policies that are set between inter-governments. Since this is a new field, there are no proper guidelines for space tourism, as earlier policies and treaties were developed on the bases of scientific space exploration and not tourism. Without proper guidelines, uncertainty is created, as it is not clear how the government will regulate the industry in the future.

Due some treaties signed, privately owned space vehicles would need a special permit in order to venture to the space. Through the government, new entrants to the market can be protected in order to avoid unfair competition from the already established players i.e. Space Adventures and Virgin Galactic. On the other hand, the government is levying huge amount of taxes on any outer space venture, which causes the costs to remain exorbitantly high, hence less number of space tourists.

Moreover, due to climate change concerns, the government will require the industry to use eco-friendly crafts that could give an additional cost to the firm.

Generally, the privation of the international Space Station has paved the way for privately owned space crafts to operate without much interaction or influence. The legal front in the United States of America is not very conducive for space tourism compared to its counterpart Russia. However, the company cannot establish space tourism sector in Russia, since it will be affected by fierce competition from the already established space tourism companies.

Alternative Policy

The regulation on the use of the international Space Station must be reviewed in order to give a level competing ground for all commercial companies. The government, through NASA, has a lot of influence on the station, hence limiting the activities of private companies. As a result, the government competes unfairly with the private companies. Nevertheless, since the ISS is owned by several countries, there should be a political will to review the policies on ISS.

Additionally, policies that will promote development of new and advanced space vehicle should be enacted by the government. The freezing of government-funded launches is slowing the development of cheaper means of transportation modes. Moreover, the collaboration of the government and the private sectors can facilitate faster innovation of Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV).

Space activities

Tourists have deferent needs during their space travel, the most popular being watching the earth. The graph below indicates the preferred activities tourists are interested in (Lindsköld, 1999).

For thrill seekers, the tourists can be provided with extreme sports that include skiing, hang gliding and parachuting in space. Therefore, the firm will need to provide all necessary equipment and precautions to avoid and accidents or incidents that could damage the image of the company. This set of activities will attract tourists who love to explore and are risk takers.

The desire to experience weightlessness can be achieved through parabolic aircrafts flights around the space (Rycroft, 2002, p.224). Due to technological advancement, some space related activities could be simulated on the earth, giving people chance to experience the effects of space tourism. These space imitation activities can be starting point for our firm before eventually launching in actual space tourism.

Space tourism Market and Demand prospects

The economy is projected to be growing at a fast rate; hence, there is a high number of middle class people who might be interested in this leisure. Moreover, the fast innovation being experienced in space ship development gives the prospects of developing large commercial space ship, which can lower the costs of space tourism.

Market surveys conducted in the recent past point out that the public is interested in space tourism and it is prepared to pay a relatively substantial amount to do it. Therefore, this large market demand will result in strong and viable space tourism (Pelt, 2005, p.205). The revenue prospects are high and this will depend on the space services offered to various tourists. Moreover, the world’s demand for space tourism is on the increase if the costs are discounted reasonably (Collins, 1994).

The graph above indicates the number of people willing to use space service relative to the price associated (Collins, 1994).

Alternatively, the firm may provide other services that are related to space tourism to people who cannot afford the actual space travel. These travel events include space camps, visits to space launch sites, and museums (Pelt, 2005, p.205). Additionally, relatively cheaper space travel can be offered through high altitude jetfighter flights or parabolic flights.

These space-related activities can be targeted to potential customers with relatively lower resources. By encouraging and promoting these alternative forms of space travel, the firm will develop the craving for the actual space tourism (Rycroft, 2002, p.232).

The space tourism market is set to evolve from highly priced products to relatively cheaper and accessible products as tourism develops from its infancy stages. Research indicates that up to 80% of people surveyed are attracted to space tourism (Rycroft, 2002, p.232). Most of these people are fairly young and can make a large market base for the company in the future.

With costs of space travel expected to drop considerably to US$ 50 000 with roughly 16 000 passengers interested to fly in 2021, the firm can establish itself in this new market and benefit from associated attractive returns in the long run (Gálvez & Naja-Corbin, 2008, p.3).

Hence, tourism could become the largest activity in space. Indeed, in recent times, the popularity of space travel has risen higher with large companies choosing to advertise or sponsor part of the ventures, while space trips are nowadays used as prizes (Rycroft, 2002, p.233).

Additionally, space tourism is not influenced by culture or other stereotypes that affect other forms of tourism. In this respect, the firm has a broad population that it can influence to participate. Moreover, due to the high costs of space tourism, the firm can make substantial money from only a few customers or a few travels compared to other forms of tourism.

Newer forms of space adventure are being developed, which the company must be strategically placed to take up when they are finally rolled out i.e. high altitude balloon flights (Rycroft, 2002, p.233). This form of adventure can be a launching pad for real space tourism like suborbital flights.

Space transportation needs

The cost of space transportation is very high, with only a few human rated capsules (Rycroft, 2002, p.232). This is one of the greatest challenges that space tourism is facing, and a contributor of the high cost of travel. The developers of space vehicles have to overcome the challenges of lack of funds and technological capacity. Legal constrains also affect the development of advanced space capsules.

Space vehicle for sub orbital transportation can be developed with the available technology but orbital vehicles will involve large costs and risks. Importantly, commercial partners are getting more involved in space launches than the government sponsored launches, hence raising the prospects of an economic friendly space vehicle in the near future. In addition, the firm will require new vehicles that will transport customers to space at a competitive rate compared to other service providers.

The development of Reusable Launch Vehicles (RLV) will facilitate most travels at lower costs, hence more tourists. Moreover, a lot of research is geared to developing a passenger spacecraft that is reusable hence bringing the costs lower. Nevertheless, in partnership with VG, the problem of space transportation will likely be solved completely.

Launch of New Product

In order to attract new customers to this form of leisure, the firm must develop new space activities that will draw people to get involved. One area that has not been exploited in space tourism is orbital accommodation, with most space tourists have expressing the desire to spend a few days in the orbit.

With soaring number of tourists in the orbit, there is need for accommodation. By examining the reasons for space travel i.e. adventure, entertainment or adventure, the firm will be able to provide to its customers the required services. Through this, the firm will develop a strong market brand and increase its profitability. Moreover, different packages for each category of needs will be developed and marketed to the public. To diversify, the firm will have to develop space related activities where it can make more revenue.

Marketing strategies

Space tourism is at its infancy stage, and the companies that will venture early in this form of business venture are set to benefit in the long run when space tourism comes of age. Primarily, proper marketing will be essential in order to reach the clientele and facilitate how the customers can access the services easily.

One of the major concerns with space tourism is its effects on climatic condition, therefore, the firm, in collaboration with space travel companies, must educate the public on how space tourism will promote and not damage the environment. In doing so, the firm will be able to attract potential customers who would have felt that the effects of their travel would result to harming the environment. Moreover, a green marketing strategy would lure customers who are cautious on environmental conditions.

Due to the high cost of space tourism, the firm can encourage potential customers by providing a scheme where they can pay for their tickets with installment over a long duration of time.

This scheme can possibly allow the customers to earn low interest on their money. In this case, the firm will be able to compete for potential customers with companies that only offer pay-as-you-go services. With collaboration with a credit provider, the tour company can enable space tourists to make their trips without the full payments and pay later. Additionally, the company can initiate a lottery program where participants can win a space trip.

The pricing of space tourism and space related activities offered by the company should be competitive to attract customers from other companies offering the same product. The packages should be designed to meet the needs of the customers’ unique expected experiences. For the wealthier customer, a package that allows more comfort i.e. lesser number of people per trip can be sold at a premium rate.

The duration of this package can be a more elongated than standard trips (Peeters, 2001, p.323). Moreover, through advertising and corporate sponsorships, the firm can manage to lower the cost of each passenger.

In developing a marketing plan, the firm will have to identify the target market and its behavior. The marketing costs will be fairly cheaper since the firm can utilize easily available and convenient internet marketing. This can be done through direct e-marketing, advertising, distribution and sales, providing information, customer service and relationship marketing, and conducting marketing research.

To the advantage of the firm, scientific research indicates that space travel has limited health consequence to the tourists, provided safety precautions are observed (Rycroft, 2002, p.234). Moreover, due to the short distance nature of space tourism, short exposures to extreme space conditions have limited health consequences.

Limitation of space tourism

In spite of the prospects of space tourism, the venture also has some major limitations that the company should be aware of. Safety is the greatest concern in space tourism; thus, governments have many policies governing the venture. During one incidence, space shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it returned from space, forcing the Russian government to cancel all space travels in 2003 (Anderson, Piven, 2005, p.15).

Therefore, accidents in space tourism can result to government interference i.e. withdrawing licenses. Moreover, any event of space accidents can draw away potential customers, resulting to incur losses by the firm. In this regard, the risks involved in space tourism must be adequately managed if the venture is to be profitable. Moreover, the government or private companies are not willing to take liability for any eventuality due to the high risks involved, therefore, limiting the number of potential customers (Rycroft, 2002, p.232).

The launch costs are considerably high, with Dr. Koelle arguing that the costs of launching being higher compared to thirty years ago. It is believed that if the costs of space tourism do not go down reasonably and early enough, the number of rich explorers will get depleted, marking the end of space tourism (Pelt, 2005, p.205). For this initiative to be commercialized there is need to develop low-cost, reusable launch vehicles that go to and from space regularly.

The development of efficient launch vehicles such as RLV can lower the associated costs of launching. Moreover, large vehicles that can accommodate a larger number of tourists is another strategy of bringing the costs much lower (Rycroft, 2002, p.233). This advancement of spacecrafts is too expensive, and the government does not want to fund such operation, hence, this cost is passed down to the customers. Therefore, some advancement is not viable in the near future due to lack of enough funding and technological capacity.

The cost of space tourism is not the only limiting factor; the health of the tourists is largely evaluated. Through this elimination based on health, the firm can lose considerable number of prospective customers. Generally, the health and fitness levels required in space travel are very high and sometimes unattainable for people with the resource for space travel.

This limitation is difficult to deal with as the conditions in space permit only certain health standards. Moreover, the industry may have to contend with medical emergency and rescue plans. The most common conditions that affects health of tourists in space are high amounts of radiation, micro gravity and vacuum, however properly designed space vehicle and space suits can help to lower the effects of theses conditions.

The space tourism market is very volatile, as it is influenced by many conditions such as political, economic, and technological factors. Such volatile markets are not appropriate areas to venture ones business into. However, the revenues in this market are large enough to accommodate the high uncertainties in the market. Tour companies have to grapple with the fact that there is lack of adequate accommodation in space hence limiting the number of tourists that can travel simultaneously.

Conclusion

Space traveling began in the world initially for primary reason of scientific study (Peeters, 2001, p.1). Being a new concept of tourism, the experiences and luxurious mature of the space tourism has seen the number of space tourists continue to rise over the years. In the contemporary business world, the demand for space activities is relatively high and growing, hence a good business venture.

Moreover, the public is willing to pay high amounts of money in order to enjoy this experience. Nevertheless, there is a misconception that space tourism is reserved for wealthy and rich people.

There is need for government assistance or funding in advancing the current space vehicles, as well as development of proper legal framework to enable space tourism to flourish (Rycroft, 2002, p.232). Small entrepreneurial companies are working on obtaining private sector financing for the development of fully reusable space transportation vehicles.

Due to the high costs of travel to space, the development of reusable launch vehicles can lower this cost. However, the development of advanced spacecrafts is relatively slow due to unavailability of funds, technological capacity, and government regulations.

The government has strict regulations on space tourism due the safety concerns and other international policies that govern space travel. Primarily, the government has to ensure that the safety of its citizens is maximized, thus imposing strict vetting process before issuing trading license to space tourism ventures.

For instance, health implication can be adverse due to exposure to high amounts of radiation, vacuum, and micro gravity. Moreover, due to the high risks involved, the government and insurance companies always take a back seat and are always resistant to compensate any liability incurred in space tourism. Therefore, it is still not clear how the market of space tourism can be affected in the event of space accidents.

The motivations for space tourism range from education, competition, adventure, and recreation, while space related activities i.e. parabolic flights can be used to create demand for the actual space tourism.

The firm should be aggressive enough to venture into the most popular space activity that involves observation of the earth from the space; however, the firm can also provide services for earth based activities that are related to space travel i.e. high altitude jetfighter flights (Rycroft, 2002, p.232). These space-related activities will form an interest for the actual space tourism from various potential participants.

In order to qualify to travel to space, tourists need to pass stringent health test and qualify in the space training. However, this can adversely slash the number of potential clients.

Some limitation of space tourism is that the market is very volatile, as it is influenced by political, economic, and environmental factors. Moreover, there is concern of how accidents in space could affect the overall space tourism in the future. Additionally, the already existing companies offering the same service will offer stiff competition and to some extent inhibit new entrants to the industry.

Subsequently, the success of this venture is pegged on invention of a cost friendly space vehicle whose development could take a long duration to complete. Finally, there is the fear that if the RLV space vehicles are not developed in the near future, clients who have the resources to tour the space will be depleted (Pelt, 2005, p.205).

Recommendation

The recommendations given below are based on the analysis of the demand for space tourism, technology available, government policies and regulations and the limitations of space tourism.

First, the company should set up space tourism division. In the initial stages, the company should only start offering space related activities such as high altitude jetfighter flights. The company should also include visits to space-related sites on the Earth. In this respect, the company will be positioning itself for the future development of space tourism. Meanwhile, the company should be forging alliances with space transportation companies such as VG for future expansion to the real space tourism.

Additionally, the firm should market the actual space tourist destination to the customers who will participate in the space related activities, while a scheme that facilitates potential customers to start making payment for their trips should be set up. The company can also market space tourism activities to customers obtained from other sectors of tourism. Moreover, by motivating normal and existing tourists to venture into new form of tourism, the firm will obtain market for space related activities.

References

Anderson, E. & Piven, J. (2005) The Space Tourist’s handbook: where to go, what to see, and how to prepare for the ride of your life. Philadelphia: Quirk Books.

Collins, P., et al. (1994). Commercial Implications of Market Research on Space Tourism. Journal of Space Technology and Science: Special Issue on Space Tourism, part 2, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp 3-11. Web.

Gálvez, A. & Naja-Corbin, G. (2008). Space Tourism. Web.

Lindsköld, A. (1999). Space Tourism and its Effects on Space Commercialization. Web.

OECD. (2004). Space 2030: Exploring the Future of Space Applications. Paris: OECD Publishing.

OECD International Futures Programme. (2005). Space 2030: Tackling Society’s Future Challenges. Paris: OECD Publishing.

Peeters, W. A. R. (2001). Space Marketing: A European Perspective. New York: Springer.

Pelt, M. V. (2005). Space Tourism: Adventure’s in Earth’s Orbit and Beyond. NY: Praxis Publishing Ltd.

Rycroft, M. J. (2002). Beyond the International Space Station: the future of human spaceflight: proceedings of an international symposium, 4-7 June 2002, Strasbourg, France. MA: Springer.

American space exploration programs have been associated with several disasters that changed the way people see crisis and project management. They also were the cause of substantial changes in the US aviation and space-related policies.

The accidents with Challenger and Columbia are two disasters that shaped such policies. It is possible to compare the two cases to understand fundamental errors that led to the loss of people’s lives and multimillion-dollar spacecraft.

The two disasters are very different. Thus, the Challenger exploded several minutes after the launch of the spaceship (“Challenger Disaster Live on CNN” n. pag.). Columbia exploded on its return to the earth (Associated Press n. pag.). The failure in the joint of the elements of the rocket motor caused the Challenger catastrophe (“Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident” n. pag.).

Columbia disintegrated as a result of the break off of the insulation foam that had hit the wing during the launch (“Columbia: Accident Investigation Board” 49). It is necessary to note that disasters could have been prevented. For instance, Columbia’s return could have been successful if the problem had been detected.

The malfunction occurred during the launch, and there was time to fix it. Clearly, there had to be a proper detection system that could identify such issues. When it comes to Challenger, several problems were detected before the launch (Forrest n. pag.).

However, the group of engineers and managers made the decision (that the spaceship was ready) that led to the catastrophe. Apparently, the disaster could have been prevented if they took the decision to implement the necessary diagnostic measures instead of focusing on the date of launch.

Therefore, it is possible to note that the two catastrophes were caused by physical malfunctions and poor management. The analysis of the accidents led to the development of a number of recommendations. As far as Columbia is concerned, it was recommended to develop “an aggressive program” aimed at the elimination of possible malfunctions in the tank with a focus on thermal protection (“Columbia: Accident Investigation Board” 225).

Another recommendation was to develop improved impact-resistant materials and a sophisticated inspection program (including software, people’s training, and so on) that would enable the crew to identify malfunctions when they occur.

It was also recommended to launch a comprehensive training program with a focus on various situations that may occur and the cooperation between different teams (“Columbia: Accident Investigation Board” 226). These recommendations have been implemented.

As for Challenger, recommendations were mainly aimed at the improvement of management systems. For instance, one of the recommendations was to improve project management systems. It was also recommended to develop a new structure of the rocket motor with an emphasis on joints (“Report to the President” 11).

The essential idea was to include astronauts in the project management team, which strengthened the team through the use of astronauts’ extensive experience (“Report to the President” 14). Finally, it was also recommended to improve safety measures. All the recommendations were implemented, and the system of management was significantly improved.

It is noteworthy that the two disasters provide valuable lessons to be learned. Obviously, the development of technology enables scientists and constructors to create more operational systems due to the creation of more suitable materials.

Apart from that, the Challenger accident made the stakeholders understand that there should be complete confidence that all the systems are operating correctly, and the spaceship, as well as the crew, is ready for the successful launch and return.

There also should be standardized procedures that ensure that all safety measures have been undertaken. At that, the Columbia disaster made the stakeholders understand the need for an operational inspection system that should detect any malfunctions in all the systems of the ship during the flight. At that, both programs showed that astronauts, as well as various teams, could benefit from training aimed at the development of efficient cooperation and addressing different situations.

Importantly, the implementation of the recommendations resulted in the development of (and changes in) a number of policies. Thus, the Challenger accident led to the establishment of policies aimed at improved standardization, efficient communication management, and sophisticated flight readiness review (“Report to the President” 3). The disintegration of Columbia revealed the flaws in these policies that also underwent various changes aimed at improved safety and communication.

It is necessary to note that the two disasters had a particular impact on the Shuttle Program. They revealed some flaws in the systems and management. They also enabled NASA to develop more efficient programs and policies that ensured successful launches and landings of many other shuttles.

Clearly, the loss of people’s lives and costly crafts was a very expensive lesson to be learned. However, NASA, as well as other organizations that are now working in the sphere of space exploration and aviation, have made a lot of progress. It is clear that shuttles should be employed as this is an effective and sustainable way to explore space.

Works Cited

Associated Press. “NASA Reports New Details of Columbia Deaths.” NBC News 2008. n. pag. Web.

Columbia: Accident Investigation Board. 2003. Web.

Challenger Disaster Live on CNN. 2007. n. pag. Web.

Forrest, Jeff. The Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster. 2005. n. pag. Web.

Report of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident. 1986. n. pag. Web.

Report to the President: Actions to Implement the Recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident. 1986. Web.

The future of space tourism is a hot debate today because the resent studies show that it is a phenomenon that the wealthy corporate as well as individuals such as the Californian Multi-Millionaire: Dennis Tito, are venturing into with the aim of reaching the Low Orbit Earth (LEO). This is an indication that the venture is going to be a well paying tourism sector. In addition, a large goal for the many developing space ship companies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

They hope to shuttle cargo and the astronauts through a Commercial Orbital Transport System (COTS) to International Space Station (ISS). Companies like “Scaled Composites, Blue Origin, and SpaceX are developing” space commercial crafts as well as programs to enable people tour the earth’s orbit. The critics behind this industry are the costs involved.

Millionaires such as Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth, Anousheh Ansari, Charles Simonyi and, Greg Olsen have spent approximately $20 million for a couple of days tour to space aboard the ISS. In line with Laliaberte Guy (1, 2009), he was the seventh private client to take a space adventure in September 30, 2009 in a poetic special mission to create public awareness regarding the “ONE DROP” foundation.

For this reason, the characteristic of the playground is for the rich since there are strong indications regarding the costs involved. The future aspiration is on making space tourism available at affordable rates for the middle class. Just like the rush for space was a couple of years back, the race for space tourism is currently at is boiling point and thus this tourism industry has high growth expectations.

Background information of the space tourism predicament

The capability for space transportation has over the years seen very little advancement if any to facilitate a solution to the big obstacle of space development. New programs and equipments are essential requirements to facilitate space development and access. The reasons why people suffer from high space tourism costs is lack of proper space ships.

This means that companies launch space ships that are highly volatile and thus the disposals after only a few usages. Today, there is urgent need for an approach that will move to a more rational and affordable space visit program. The biggest challenge is the ability to come up with a more robust, highly reliable but frequently reusable space ship: Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).

Thesis/Problem statement

“Future expectations of the space tourism,” is a research investigating and analyzing patterns and available perspectives into the key themes of the proposed innovative developments concerning infrastructure, technological advancement, reusability to ships and, partnership between the government and private sector. The collaboration enhances the existing capabilities to make the development affordable and available to more willing participants.

Hypothesis Statement

The future for Space tourism is a program for the rich. It is a common believe among most people that, space tourism is for the rich with because one of the key contributors for its development is finances.

Purpose/Significance of the study

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the consequences and key concepts involved in the development and offer suggestions from the research findings on ways of reducing or eliminating the social, economical and emotional challenges behind the tourism sector.

Objectives of the study

This term paper lays down the need for researching the background of the future space tourism, its impact to the society and those who are involved as well as assessment over the importance of the future endeavours and possible policy recommendations.

Significance of the study operations

The key topics to be covered entail the focus over commercial architecture and the funding required for fostering its implementation. This is in the aim of lowering the high degree of requirement for the embryonic space tourism and its drive towards lower transportation cost to avail the next generation of efficiency over operations.

he International Space Station (ISS) currently faces challenges related to cost overruns efficient in starting the developmental phase of the key elements required for architectural growth in support for long-term ISS needs, and facilitation of next-generation systems.

The Procedure of the Study/Research Methodology

The literature reviews will enable better understanding of the topic. Preparation of the research proposal over the chosen topic will enhance and quantify the research as a study topic and prepare for respondents.

Information collected will equally tabulate and assist in ranking the findings form broad areas and help to narrow the scope to the objectives of the study analysis. The analysis will then draw the conclusion from generally analyzed data in the literature review.

The research findings will entail data collected through websites of the concern companies as well as marketing companies in the study area, observation of the proceedings over the specified data collection period.

For the study analysis, the collected data and studies conducted used to discern patterns and formulate principles that might guide future action of the study subject. In this case study of space tourism the research checks the background information, progress, surveillance and examination of current state of matter and the involvement with other related cases.

The analysis of records regarding internal as well as external consequences is equally important. Comparison of various space tourism vehicles manufactured today offers better understanding and analysis results.

Correlation-prediction will involve statistically correlation and prediction of coefficients between aspiring and involved tourists. This term paper will therefore attempt to find or describe space tourism principles and explain existing status or competitions and propose future direction for the industry.

Proposed Research Procedures

The research study follows a design that samples some parental responses over the questions regarding availability of attributes, in supporting growth of a transport system that integrates a multi-faceted architecture in support for commercial space tourism. This advancement would support civil programs such as space exploration and settlement.

The analysis of recently surveyed results indicates that such a system would be in a position to address the current crisis in connection to the high cost of accessing space, ordinary liabilities, and unavailability of reusable systems into the current infrastructure.

Literature Review

Reusability

The Space Transportation System (STS) in America has attempted to launch a reusable ship. Orbiter from space shuttle of an imitation produced in collaboration with Solid Rocket Booster (SRBs), which is well equipped with a wealth of knowledge with regard to the operability and reusability approaches. The Orbiter shuttle however requires a remote recovery procedure, which involves expensive manufacturing and some logistics recovery procedures to assist it take off.

This means that there is grater need for enhancing refurbishment other than remanufacturing before reusing the shuttle. There is equality need to adjust the turn around time between the flight by adopting the technological advancement and design techniques. Basing the current technology on reusable boosters is the space shuttle’s greatest revolutionary step to space transportation system.

The costs and markets

The other issues prohibiting the launce of more available and affordable space shuttle for potential clients entail costs and markets. Considering the production, initiating the new reusable space vehicles would be expensive considering there is only a small number of units’ reusable while the rest need remanufacturing.

Secondly, the current technology uses the chemically propelled rockets, which are equally expensive. The production of large SRB reusable boosters for commercial purposes would be economically unjustifiable, although the STS may make the system less expensive in operability. The reusable boosters would replace the SRBs but with the shuttle, being too close to the end of its lifetime, then it would not take full advantage of the technology.

Other major problem includes the space launch market that needs to be sufficient in support for a new vehicle that engages enough number of voyages. The current space allows for approximately 1000 satellite launches over a 10-year period. Simple arithmetic would equate this to 100 payloads per year and any new system must compete within that market niche. There are serious difficulties associated with this because any new system must pay up developmental and production costs in the aim of making a profit. Currently, there is a very low traffic measure, which cannot economically justify the least cost space vehicle.

It is easy to imagine the exotic and elegance of the outer space comfort and cruise experience but these orbital technologies and lifestyles require a merge between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) architectural technologies with quality marketing strategies such as entertainment.

“What markets would be involved in such space cruise ships?” In line with the Space Tourism Society (1, n.d), the marketing strategies would require one to know the facilities to include in the space such as hotels, and the products and services on offer to sustain in such an awkward environments.

Futon Corporation is an industrial leader for forecasting the markets related to space tourism. It has considerable amount of realistic advancement plans for space flights. People like travelling and having fun and thus will be willing for the same in spaceships. According to Futron’s report (10), they forecast indicate, “Orbital space travel projects by 2021, will involve approximately 60 passengers flying annually, representing revenues in excess of US$300 million.”

There is need for “market shock” and exploding demand may cause the economies of scale to act accordingly to the comfort levels where capitalist are in a position to venture into new markets such as the space ship markets and thus bring in more funds for the space transport system. Currently, the race over space tourism is between commercial enterprises.

Upon the first commercial trip by Dennis Tito aboard a “Soyuz TM-32,” (Shayler, 1), in 2004 “British aviator-financier Richard Branson announced the launch of Virgin Galactic, a company which will use Spaceship One technology, with hopes of launching sub-orbital flights by 2008”.

This race is evident with the virgin Atlantic launch of the “Virgin Galactic’s space vehicles.” This is a positive step since it has hybrid rocket motor power for enhancing reusability due to high amount of control it avails the pilots over landing. According to Virgin Galactic, this is a milestone catapult on the aviation industry and is for the good reason of enhancing space tourism.

The space vehicle is currently an entirely carbon fused aviation means of space transport ever built therefore making it the most fuel resourceful system in comparison to its size. The vehicle is capable of currying huge payloads of approximately 35,0000 lbs through high elevation over a wide range of miles. For the size of such a space ship, it has the ability to perform by manoeuvring over great heights (Virgin Galactic, 1).

With this type of advancement, the space tourism emerges as a viable market considering its potential to generate high revenues thus the need to justify the investment requirements for a reduced cost of accessing the services. National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s research on the matter indicates that tens of millions of the United States citizens would wish to travel privately to space if the parties involved were able to alleviate the current global market barriers in the industry.

Today most governments fail to recognize the potential of space tourism investment as prospective “revenue generating tax base or a drive to greater market drive for next generation” (Whalen, 3). However, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has greater initiative programs for generating reports over procedures to reduce risks and availing architectural requirements that meet the future generation space vehicles.

The aim for space advancement has been a race between the Soviet Union and United States since 1957 when Soviet launched “Sputnik 1” (Siddiqi, 1). The pace has however slowed but exploration is still advancing. The USA launched a reusable shuttle in April 12, 1981 and USSR an “automatic reusable space craft: Buran in November 15, 1988.” The European Space Agency (ESA) lunched a commercial rocket: Aricane 4 to compete with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) over the unmanned space investigations.

This efforts by ESA have catalyzes efforts and ambitions such as the Aurora plan to send a human being on a mission to Mars by the year 2030. The U.S. president Bush administration also planed a mission to reach the same goal and equally have a crew exploration space ship for return trip to the moon.

These events are an evidence of the continual race over space tourism. In 2005, the ESA group teamed up with Russia on what seem to be a head start to co-fund and subsequently develop the “CEV” as a counterpart to “Kliper” scheduled for a first launch in 2011 thus going way before the U.S. plans.

Other nations such as China are in a position of increasing required competition over exploration of space tourism. Their funding may be excessively low in comparison to ESA and NASA but they have a success concerning “Shenzhou 5 and Shenzhou 6” and further plans for a space station by the “Chinese Space Program.” In 2006, the U.S. through the Pentagon released a report over china’s growing space power concerning their “Chandrayaan-1” mission and other space programs especially by India and Japan.

Suggested Research

The tourism market is a broad market like the military or civil market and thus the need for better definition and identification especially for the next generation of the space transport systems. The governments need to enhance measures that promote the appreciation of space tourism.

This paper suggests further research findings over the government promotion procedures. The governments ought to know that the technological developments are an important aspect of the market environment for the functioning of the future generation especially in the aeronautic industry.

There is equally the need to research on enhancing procedures to make people understand prospective market niche and depth in the space tourism. Identification of require future technologies is equally important considering that the industry is a multi million dollar investment, thus the need to understand the potential of the market in details, possible estimate figures and time of returns on investment.

Conclusion

The space tourism industry is similar to the past airline history. There are many potential passengers willing to pay for the journey to space and the governments should therefore consider this as an eminent opportunity to solve the current costly space access inconveniences.

If the corporation between the private sector and the government is able to drive admission charges to a lower level with the aim of encouraging rebirth of a new arena that encourages commerce and industry, then there will be a great utilization of the space opportunities for growth. The space tourism is an identified market niche that might catalyze utilization of infrastructure in space especially due to future discoveries.

Work Cited

Futron Corporation. “Space Tourism Market Study orbital space travel & destinations with suborbital space travel.” Wisconsin, Bethesda, Maryland, MD. 2002. Web.

Laliberte, Guy. “Moving Stars and Earth for Water: Poetic special mission”. Space adventures. 2009. Web.

Shayler, David J. “Soyuz: A Universal Spacecraft.” Rex Hall, 2003.

Siddiqi, Asif A. “Sputnik and the Soviet Space Challenge.” 2003.

Space Tourism Society. “The Orbital Lifestyle.” A non-profit visionary space experience research and design organization. (n.d). Web.

Virgin Galactic. “Spaceships: Virgin Galactic’s Vehicles.” (n.d). Web.

Whalen, David J. “Communications Satellites: Making the Global Village Possible.”

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 2007. Web.

Modern inner space explorers have created many vehicles to support oceanography all over the world. The avid need to explore underwater world became more significant when geologists and oceanographers realized that weather changes, erosion of rocks, and sediments have settled down on sea floor which can be useful in estimating fundamental information about earth. In order to reveal secrets of earth and its origination, modern vehicles have been discovered. This paper shall discuss some latest tools and vehicles invented by modern oceanographers. Also, differentiating characteristics of these vehicles will be covered.

Underwater vehicles are used by divers to stay for longer time in water. There are three common types of underwater vehicles such as autonomous underwater vehicle, human occupied vehicles (HOVs), and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

Human Occupied Vehicles are very expensive carriers that allow one or more persons to travel in it. It helps discoverers to go deeper inside water but it allows them to stay underwater for limited hours only. On other hand, explorers have remotely operated vehicles that do not allow human drivers as they have wired or remote systems. These are controlled by an expert from a remote location. It is designed to go to such areas under water that might be considered dangerous for humans (Seas, 2003). Therefore, they are especially designed with circuits that enable scrutiny in danger areas.

Types of ROVs

There are three basic types of ROVs depending upon the size of vehicle, such as small ROVs, middle-sized ROVs and large or working class ROVs. Small ROVs are simply made up of tiny camera that goes 300 meters deep inside water and send images, while middle-sized ROVs have more electric capability to go 7,000 meter deep under the water and it is usually used by scientists. Working class ROVs are most advanced form of remote control vehicle especially designed to drill and repair sea bed (Steele, Thorpe, & Turekian, 2009). These vehicles have several functioning grabbers and manipulators that help performing some serious subsea functions.

Types of HOVs

There are various types of Human Occupied Vehicles which include Navel Submarine, Merchant Submarine, Human Torpedoes, Deep Submerge Rescue Vehicle, Deep Sea Submerge Vehicle, Personal Submarine, and Midget Submarine. These inner space vehicles have distinguishing attributes, designed to perform different functions deep under water. As these vehicles are different from each other thus, their characteristics also affect its uses.

For example, Naval Submarines are considered defense submarines that are used only during war time in the country (Sharda, 2011). Similarly, Deep Submerge Rescue Vehicles are also used during war time for naval rescue operations. However, personal submarines are used by oceanographers and explorers for research purpose. In addition, there are some human occupied vehicles that are simply used to visit life under water (Steele, Thorpe, & Turekian, 2009). Such vehicles are known as pleasure submarines which allow people to go inside water just for entertainment.

Basic Difference between HOVs and ROVs

Basic difference between HOVs and ROVs is that ROVs are controlled by people on land surface with the help of remotes whereas HOVs are driven by explorers sitting in the control area of human occupied vehicles (Steele, Thorpe, & Turekian, 2009). Also, ROVs are attached with the cables therefore they can travel as far as cable will permit them while HOVs do not have any cables and these can travel distance limited to their range.

Reference List

Seas, N. R. (2003). Exploration of the Seas:Interim report. Washington DC: National Academies Press. Web.

Sharda. (2011). Difference Types of Submarines and Underwater Vessels. Web.

Steele, J., Thorpe, S., & Turekian, K. (2009). Measurement Techniques, Platforms & Sensors:A Derivative of the Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences. London: Academic Press. Web.