How Much Will This Deplete our Atmosphere?

SynthethicalY · 06.17.2007, 10:38 PM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-w...nce-space-jet/

PARIS — European aerospace company EADS on Wednesday unveiled a model of a jet designed to take tourists into space, rocketing paying passengers to weightlessness at more than 62 miles above the Earth.

EADS Astrium said it hoped the space jet _ which looks much like a conventional aircraft although it is outfitted with rocket engines _ will be operational by next year, with the first flight scheduled for 2012.

Tickets are expected to cost $199,000-$265,000, said the company, which displayed a full-scale model in Paris.

The space jet would take off from regular airports using conventional jet engines. Upon reaching an altitude of about 7 1/2 miles, the pilot would ignite the rocket engines, sending the craft to an altitude of 37 miles in 80 seconds.

The engines would then be shut down and the craft's momentum would carry it to its final altitude. There, passengers would be able to gaze down on Earth and experience weightlessness for three minutes.

Only four passengers would travel on each half-hour flight, the company said.

The model was equipped with special balancing seats to reduce the powerful effect of takeoff and landing.

Astrium head Francois Auque told reporters the company expects to secure several hundred million dollars in funding for the project by the end of the year. Most of the money is to come from private investors, although governments, like that of the southern German state of Bavaria where the engines are to be produced, may also take part, the company said.

"We are counting on some 20,000 space tourists by the year 2020," Auque said. "We want to served a third of them. We have faith in this market."

Space tourism is expanding exponentially, with several entrepreneurs, including British billionaire Richard Branson, announcing plans to launch space tourism companies.

EADS Astrium builds the Ariane rocket, which puts many of the world's commercial satellites into orbit.

pbradley · 06.17.2007, 10:48 PM

I've always been of the opinion that space tourism is a pointless waste. Capricious philanthropists are the worst kind of people.

SynthethicalY · 06.17.2007, 10:50 PM

I find it utterly stupid, unless there are buildings in Mars we should allow space traveling. Who the hell wants to spend $199,000-$265,000 for a three minute ride.

06.17.2007, 10:38 PM	#1
SynthethicalY invito al cielo Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7,408	http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-w...nce-space-jet/ PARIS — European aerospace company EADS on Wednesday unveiled a model of a jet designed to take tourists into space, rocketing paying passengers to weightlessness at more than 62 miles above the Earth. EADS Astrium said it hoped the space jet _ which looks much like a conventional aircraft although it is outfitted with rocket engines _ will be operational by next year, with the first flight scheduled for 2012. Tickets are expected to cost $199,000-$265,000, said the company, which displayed a full-scale model in Paris. The space jet would take off from regular airports using conventional jet engines. Upon reaching an altitude of about 7 1/2 miles, the pilot would ignite the rocket engines, sending the craft to an altitude of 37 miles in 80 seconds. The engines would then be shut down and the craft's momentum would carry it to its final altitude. There, passengers would be able to gaze down on Earth and experience weightlessness for three minutes. Only four passengers would travel on each half-hour flight, the company said. The model was equipped with special balancing seats to reduce the powerful effect of takeoff and landing. Astrium head Francois Auque told reporters the company expects to secure several hundred million dollars in funding for the project by the end of the year. Most of the money is to come from private investors, although governments, like that of the southern German state of Bavaria where the engines are to be produced, may also take part, the company said. "We are counting on some 20,000 space tourists by the year 2020," Auque said. "We want to served a third of them. We have faith in this market." Space tourism is expanding exponentially, with several entrepreneurs, including British billionaire Richard Branson, announcing plans to launch space tourism companies. EADS Astrium builds the Ariane rocket, which puts many of the world's commercial satellites into orbit.
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06.17.2007, 10:48 PM	#2
pbradley invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: SoKo Posts: 10,621	I've always been of the opinion that space tourism is a pointless waste. Capricious philanthropists are the worst kind of people.
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06.17.2007, 10:50 PM	#3
SynthethicalY invito al cielo Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 7,408	I find it utterly stupid, unless there are buildings in Mars we should allow space traveling. Who the hell wants to spend $199,000-$265,000 for a three minute ride.
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