| Syllabus: GS-III, Subject: Science & Technology, Topic: Space technology, Issue: Space tourism |
Context: Entrepreneur and pilot Gopi Thotakura is set to become the first Indian to venture into space as a tourist on the NS-25 mission of Blue Origin
Space tourism:
- Space tourism offers recreational or business space travel opportunities.
- Includes sub-orbital and orbital missions, with
- Sub-orbital flights reach just beyond the Kármán line.
- The Kármán line is a demarcation between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. It is set at an altitude of 100 kilometres above mean sea level.
- Orbital spacecraft take passengers much further, allowing for longer stays in space.
Concerns:
- Cost- current prices often exceeding a million dollars per passenger.
- Environmental concerns due to rocket emissions, affecting the upper atmosphere.
- Safety remains a significant issue, with a notable fatality rate among astronauts.
