Die Arbeit "Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic" beschäftigt sich mit dem Thema Weltraumtourismus, insbesondere mit dem so genannten suborbitalen Weltraumtourismus - ein gegenwärtig bei Privatunternehmen zu beobachtender Trend, die kommerzielle Flüge bis zur Grenze zum Weltall anbieten. Diese Grenze, nach ihrem Entdecker Theodore von Karman "Karman Line" benannt, befindet sich laut der FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale) in einer Höhe von etwa 100 km. Der Verfasser führt am Beispiel des angloamerikanischen Unternehmens Virgin Galactic eine detaillierte Machbarkeitsstudie zu diesem Phänomen durch und stellt, basierend auf den Ergebnissen dieser Studie, Zukunftsprognosen auf. Nach einer generellen Einführung in das Thema (u.a. Geschichte, Beweggründe für einen Weltraumflug, Stufen des Weltraumtourismus), widmet sich der Verfasser den Schwerpunkten der Machbarkeitsstudie. Hierbei handelt es sich im Einzelnen um eine Analyse der Vorgehensweise von Virgin Galactic und den vielversprechendsten Konkurrenten (Space Adventures, Benson Space Company, Space Access, Incredible Adventures, Rocketplane Limited, Starchaser Industries, und Blue Origin), sowie um eine Analyse der Weltraumflugschiffe und deren Hersteller. Anschließend wird der gesetzliche Rahmen am Beispiel der FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) dargestellt und es werden Ergebnisse aus Marktforschungsprojekten ausgewertet, um die Nachfrage für suborbitale Flüge zu erklären. Die Arbeit kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass sich die Industrie zwar noch in einem Anfangsstadium befindet, aber trotzdem ein enormes Wachstumspotential aufweist.
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
Research Objectives and Themes
This thesis aims to evaluate the economic and operational feasibility of the emerging suborbital space tourism industry. By analyzing current market actors, regulatory frameworks, and consumer demand, the work assesses whether space tourism can evolve from a niche for the ultra-wealthy into a viable, revenue-generating sector.
- The business model and feasibility of Virgin Galactic as a pioneer in suborbital flight.
- Competitive analysis of major commercial space tourism operators and their respective launch technologies.
- Assessment of regulatory requirements, particularly under the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Evaluation of market demand, including wealth distribution metrics (HNWI) and consumer willingness to pay.
- The role of non-profit organizations and prizes in incentivizing technological development.
Auszug aus dem Buch
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: Outlines the motivation for space tourism and sets the research goal of evaluating the commercial feasibility of suborbital travel.
2. General Aspects on Space Tourism: Provides a historical overview, analyzes passenger motives, benefits, obstacles, and categorizes space tourism into distinct stages of realization.
3. Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism: Examines the Virgin Galactic business model, provides a competitive analysis of key industry players, evaluates various reusable launch vehicles, reviews the regulatory environment, and assesses future market demand.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes findings on the industry's potential, emphasizing that while feasible, success depends on solving safety challenges and achieving cost-efficiency through market growth.
Keywords
Space Tourism, Suborbital Flight, Virgin Galactic, Reusable Launch Vehicle, Spaceport, Feasibility Study, FAA, Commercial Space Flight, Space Tourism Society, X Prize, HNWI, Space Exploration, Weightlessness, Aerospace Engineering, Tourism Management
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work focuses on determining the commercial viability of suborbital space tourism, using Virgin Galactic as a primary case study to analyze industry feasibility.
Which specific areas of space tourism are covered?
The paper covers the history of space exploration, the business models of current operators, technical specifications of launch vehicles, regulatory requirements, and future passenger demand.
What is the primary objective of this thesis?
The main goal is to evaluate if suborbital space tourism has the potential to become a profitable and sustainable industry in the near future.
Which methodology was used for this study?
The author utilized extensive literature research, internal corporate documents, and conducted personal interviews with industry experts and corporate representatives.
What does the main body of the work address?
It provides a comprehensive feasibility study, including a SWOT analysis of Virgin Galactic, a review of direct competitors, an evaluation of RLV technology, and an analysis of global market demand.
What are the primary characteristics of the space tourism market described?
Key characteristics include high cost of entry, heavy reliance on safety standards, the influence of high-net-worth individuals, and the critical role of innovation-incentivizing non-profit organizations.
How does Virgin Galactic handle passenger preparation?
The company includes a three-day pre-flight stay with medical exams, centrifuge training, and zero-g parabolic flight experiences to prepare passengers for suborbital flight.
What regulatory body is analyzed in the context of space flight?
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the primary regulatory authority reviewed, as it sets the safety and operational guidelines for commercial space transportation.
What role does the Ansari X Prize play in the industry?
It served as a major catalyst by providing financial incentives to private teams, resulting in the successful development of suborbital reusable launch vehicles like SpaceShipOne.
How is demand for future space tourism forecasted?
Demand is analyzed through population growth data of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and surveys assessing the willingness of qualified candidates to pay for suborbital flight experiences.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Matthias Otto (Autor:in), 2008, Feasibility Study and Future Projections of Suborbital Space Tourism at the Example of Virgin Galactic, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/186729
