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Three locals buy tickets to space

Two Czechs, one Slovak to be among first space tourists

By Curtis M. Wong
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
August 6th, 2008 issue

JAN PŘEROVSKÝ/THE PRAGUE POST
Jan Kolář, director of the Czech Space Office, says that, if successful, the project could inspire further space tourism, despite the high cost.
COURTESY PHOTO
Virgin Galactic offers the three-hour tours for 3 million Kč per person.
Whether it’s scaling mountains of astonishing heights or diving to previously unimaginable depths, travel agencies offer countless possibilities to adventure tourists. But the thrill-seeking bar was raised a little higher last week when three local clients — two Czechs and one Slovak — purchased tickets worth 3 million Kč ($195,567) each to be among the world’s first commercial space travelers.
“Of course this is going to be seen as a new form of tourism,” said Jan Kolář, director of the Czech Space Office.
As part of a collaboration with the U.S.-based company Virgin Galactic, local Agency Typ is now accepting reservations for a three-hour trip into space. Travelers will board a privately owned spacecraft that will depart from Virgin Galactic’s Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Journeying more than three times the speed of sound, they will then observe the planet from a height of 110 kilometers (69 miles) while experiencing between five to seven minutes of zero gravity before returning to Earth.
According to Typ’s director of sales and Central Europe’s “accredited space agent,” Hanuš Němeček, the company’s new offer has received an enthusiastic response from about 20 private clients since tickets went on sale in April. Though he would not disclose details about the three clients who have already purchased tickets, Nemeček said they “all share a daring, entrepreneurial spirit.”
He added that the first flights are expected to take place in late 2009 or early 2010, but did not give an exact date.
“There are a lot of people who are interested in this type of space travel, and every person has a different reason for being interested,” Němeček said. “Some like it because it’s new and trendy, others are interested because they feel they are contributing to [a worthy cause] for the future. Of course, they are all looking at it as a great experience that will change people’s lives.”
Each ticket, Němeček said, includes a medical examination and two days of physical and psychological preparation in addition to the three-hour flight itself. All passengers must be at least 18 years old and must not have high blood pressure as exposure to G-forces can create serious circulatory problems.
“In total, there have been fewer than 500 people who have traveled into space, and we can assume those 500 were among the world’s healthiest people,” Nemeček said. “This is going to be a new opportunity for your average citizen, as someone with an average state of health, will be safe enough to travel to outer space with Virgin Galactic.”
The sky’s not the limit
While travel experts are quick to hype Virgin Galactic as an exciting travel opportunity for the 21st century, aerospace officials say the new enterprise is significant because it will be the world’s first company offering space missions to everyday people and not just trained astronauts.
“Space travel used to be available only to a close-knit group of academics and ‘heroes,’ ” Kolář said. “Just a few years ago, most people wouldn’t have dreamed this type of privately funded travel would become available.”
While 3 million Kč may be more than most can afford for a holiday, Kolář predicts that the project, if successful, can inspire aerospace officials to try their hand at developing a new range of innovative travel opportunities — from orbiting space exploration flights to space hotels where visitors can reserve a room for a week or even two.
“At this point in time, it’s mostly financial limitations that will restrict the number of travelers,” he said. “However, as with any other type of commercial activity, once the first journey is successful, the number of trips will increase, and the price will eventually decrease.” There are at least four other aerospace companies with similar projects currently in the works, he added.
The project was the brainchild of British business magnate Richard Branson, a longtime proponent of space travel. In 2004, Branson — along with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen — founded Virgin Galactic as the world’s first “spaceline,” with plans to offer space tourism.
Designed by legendary American aeronautical engineer Burt Rutan, Virgin Galactic’s Space Ship One completed the first privately funded human spaceflight June 21 of that year.
Of course, both travel and aerospace authorities warn that a Virgin Galactic flight might not be the best way for an average person to spend their summer holidays, as there are still a number of personal risks involved when undertaking space travel.
“As most people know, space travel is risky, even on government-funded missions,” Kolář said. “It requires special attention, and you can’t really compare it to other physical activities. Also, from a commercial point of view, it’s a risky type of investment. It would be a real disaster if something went wrong.”

Curtis M. Wong can be reached at cwong@praguepost.com


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