In the past, before the emergence of private space companies, the space industry was dominated by national space agencies across the globe. Currently, with the advent of new space players, the dynamics in the space industry have transformed. Moreover, it is observed that space agencies and private space companies are working with each other to further their objectives with respect to the space industry. The advantages of space systems for mobile satellite communications, broadcasting, high-speed data transfer, and commercial navigation are being recognized today by commercial businesses. Furthermore, there are numerous potential opportunities offered by emerging space activities such as in-space manufacturing, asteroid mining, and space-based solar power. These space activities are gathering significant interest from the private sector.
Space transportation includes sub-orbital flights or transportation, orbital transportation, and beyond orbital transportation, which includes planetary missions. Currently, commercial space transportation includes launch services and cargo delivery to the International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, two companies, namely Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, have announced their ticket prices for commercial space transportation services. These commercial space transportation services include one to the Moon and one to higher orbits from the International Space Station (ISS) or launch vehicle. Apart from this, commercial rides will be available for adventure travelers and astronauts on suborbital flights and to the ISS. According to NASA’s Integrated Landing System Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), transportation from Gateway to the Moon will be a commercial service by 2024.
Sub-orbital transportation not only includes using spacecraft for microgravity experiments, satellite deployments, or cargo delivery but also encompasses space tourism. Space tourism has been one of the focused areas in the space industry, particularly for commercial space entities. The main objective of space tourism companies is to fly paying customers to space. From 2001 to 2009, private individuals were successfully sent into space aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Space Adventures, a space tourism company, organized eight space flight tours to the ISS for seven private individuals with the help of Russia’s Space Agency.
Remote sensing/Earth observation is the technique for acquiring information from a distance using sensors onboard satellites; images of large areas on the Earth’s surface are taken for required data. Earlier, the data collection process through remote sensing was considered a costly affair as it required a pilot and an aircraft that needed to be maneuvered on difficult terrains, posing a substantial risk. The use of SRVs for remote sensing presents an opportunity to carry-out Safe and responsive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Space tourism has gathered significant interest from the space sector as well as individuals who want to travel to space. Several companies such as Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, Space Adventures, PD AeroSpace, LTD, Space Perspective, and Zero Gravity Corporation are focusing on developing platforms that will enable space tourism. The current challenge is to make space trips cheaper and thus more accessible to the public.
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