Space tourism has been a science fiction that many have attempted to turn into reality over the years. But with limitations in technology as well as the cost involved, very few have actually tried to work in that direction. But now the Indian Space Research Organisation attempts to make it a possibility. That too in less than a decade.
Although it has been attached with a hefty price, the ISRO aims to make it possible. The price has been mentioned to cover the space suits and modules. “Work is in progress around India’s very own tourism space module, which is both safe and reusable”, mentioned S Somnath. He is the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The initial space travel module is expected to be able to take tourists into sub orbital heights. The key difference between suborbital and orbital travel is the velocity of the module. A suborbital craft travels at a lesser velocity compared to an orbital craft. Suborbital crafts usually travel at maximum of what is called the edge of space. This is followed by a gradual descent to the surface.
Ticket prices are speculated to be in the range of Rs 6 crores. Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh had mentioned in the parliament that ISRO has already started feasibility tests. He has the Independent Charge for Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, and Space. Although private parties including SpaceX are working towards this idea, ISRO is the one of the first public organisations to give a timeline to it.
