The work "Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic" deals with the topic space tourism, especially with the so-called suborbital space tourism - a current trend of private businesses that offer commercial flights up to the edge of space. This edge of space, named "Karman Line" due to its founder Theodore von Karman, is defined by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) to be at an altitude of approximately 100 km. The author conducts a detailed feasibility study about this phenomenon at the example of the Anglo-American business Virgin Galactic, and sets up future projections based on the results of this study. After a general introduction into the topic (history, motives for going to space, stages of space tourism etc.) the author addresses the focal points of the feasibility study. In detail, this includes an analysis of the Virgin Galactic approach and its most promising competitors (Space Adventures, Benson Space Company, Space Access, Incredible Adventures, Rocketplane Limited, Starchaser Industries, and Blue Origin), as well as an analysis of the several spaceships and its manufacturers. Subsequently, the regulatory framework is illustrated at the example of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). In the end, results from market research projects are evaluated in order to explain the demand for suborbital flights. The study comes to the conclusion that the industry is still in an early pioneer phase, but nevertheless shows an enormous potential to grow.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. General Aspects on Space Tourism
2.1 History of Space Exploration and Space Tourism
2.2 Motives for going to space
2.3 Benefits of Space Tourism
2.4 Obstacles to Space Tourism
2.5 Stages of Space Tourism
3. Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism
3.1 The Virgin Galactic Approach
3.1.1 The Product
3.1.2 The Place
3.1.3 The Communication Policy
3.1.4 SWOT Analysis of Virgin Galactic
3.2 Analysis of Virgin Galactic’s Direct Competitors in Suborbital Space Tourism
3.2.1 Space Adventures
3.2.2 Benson Space Company
3.2.3 Space Access
3.2.4 Incredible Adventures
3.2.5 Rocketplane Limited
3.2.6 Starchaser Industries
3.2.7 Blue Origin
3.2.8 Summary
3.3 Suborbital Reusable Launch Vehicles and Their Manufacturers
3.3.1 SpaceShipTwo (The Spaceship Company)
3.3.2 Dream Chaser (SpaceDev)
3.3.3 New Shepard (Blue Origin)
3.3.4 Skyhopper (Space Access)
3.3.5 Newson’s Spaceship (EADS Astrium)
3.3.6 Lynx (XCOR Aerospace)
3.3.7 Ascender (Bristol Spaceplanes)
3.3.8 Thunderstar (Starchaser Industries)
3.3.9 Rocketplane XP (Rocketplane Limited)
3.3.10 Summary
3.4 Regulatory Framework and Non-Profit Space Tourism Organisations
3.4.1 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
3.4.2 X Prize Foundation
3.4.3 Space Tourism Society
3.4.4 Summary
3.5 Suborbital Space Tourism Demand
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
The primary research objective is to analyze and evaluate the viability of the emerging suborbital space tourism industry by conducting a feasibility study focused on the example of Virgin Galactic and its market environment.
- Examination of the historical development and current status of the space tourism sector.
- Evaluation of Virgin Galactic's business approach, including product, place, and communication strategies.
- Comparative analysis of direct market competitors in the suborbital space field.
- Technical assessment of reusable launch vehicles and their respective manufacturers.
- Analysis of regulatory frameworks and the impact of non-profit space tourism organizations on industry promotion.
- Projection of future suborbital space tourism demand and market trends.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 The Product
As already mentioned above, the core product of Virgin Galactic is a suborbital flight. In the following, the author will describe this product and all the factors that are in close relationship to it, for example the vehicles, manufacturers, and partners involved in the programme.
So, what will the $200.000 experience look like? At first, the passengers arrive at a hotel nearby the spaceport where they will have “a three-day stay with meals inclusively”. (Berner, personal communication, 2008) The offer also includes pre-flight preparation and training at the spaceport, for example g-force training in a centrifuge and zero-g training in a parabolic flight. According to Virgin Galactic, “a detailed preparation program is currently being developed in conjunction with medical and space flight experts.” After having finished a medical exam in order to check their health, the passengers are ready for taking the flight, which is described in the following.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the vision of space tourism, defining the research objective of evaluating its potential as a viable, revenue-generating industry.
2. General Aspects on Space Tourism: The author provides an overview of space history, passenger motives, industry benefits, obstacles such as safety and cost, and categorizes space tourism into different operational stages.
3. Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism: This core section analyzes the Virgin Galactic approach, evaluates direct competitors, examines reusable launch vehicles, reviews the FAA regulatory environment, and assesses suborbital demand.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the feasibility analysis, confirming the industry's potential while emphasizing that success depends heavily on safety and price reductions.
Keywords
Space Tourism, Suborbital Flight, Virgin Galactic, Reusable Launch Vehicles, Spaceport, Feasibility Study, FAA, Space Exploration, Commercial Space, Market Demand, X Prize, Astronaut, Spacecraft, Spaceport America, Space Adventures
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this study?
The study provides a comprehensive feasibility analysis of the emerging suborbital space tourism industry, using Virgin Galactic as a primary example to assess whether the sector has the potential to become a viable, revenue-generating business.
What are the central themes investigated?
The paper covers the history of space exploration, passenger motivations, the economic and technological feasibility of space travel, competitive analysis of industry players, and the regulatory framework governing space activities.
What is the primary objective of the author?
The objective is to determine if suborbital space tourism can transition from a niche, high-cost pioneer market into a mass-market industry in the near future.
What scientific methods were used?
The author utilized extensive research of secondary data (industry reports, company documents, historical data) and complemented this with primary data gathered through personal interviews with subject matter experts.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main part of the thesis consists of an in-depth feasibility study, which includes analyses of business strategies, technical specifications of launch vehicles, regulatory requirements, and future demand projections.
Which keywords best describe the work?
The central concepts are suborbital space flight, commercial space tourism, launch vehicles, feasibility, and market development.
Why is Virgin Galactic used as the primary case study?
Virgin Galactic is analyzed as the leading representative of the industry, currently demonstrating the most advanced operational preparation and a comprehensive business strategy to enter the commercial suborbital market.
What role do non-profit organizations play in this industry?
Non-profit organizations, such as the X Prize Foundation and the Space Tourism Society, serve as crucial catalysts by promoting public interest, fostering innovation through prize-based competition, and helping to establish industry norms.
How is the safety aspect handled in the work?
Safety is identified as the most critical hurdle for the industry; the work examines how regulatory bodies like the FAA establish protocols and how operators strive to balance technical safety requirements with economic feasibility.
What is the outlook for future ticket prices?
The study suggests that while initial tickets will remain expensive (around $200,000), prices are expected to decline as demand increases and operations achieve economies of scale.
- Citation du texte
- Matthias Otto (Auteur), 2008, Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/155989
