Japanese Company Brings Astronomically Expensive Space Tourism Within Reach of the Common Masses
Figure 1. JAPANESE COMPANY BRINGS ASTRONOMICALLY EXPENSIVE SPACE TOURISM WITHIN REACH OF THE COMMON MASSES (Sood, 2023). Retrieved from www.yankodesign.com
Space tourism has long been a dream for many, but the astronomically expensive costs have kept it out of reach for most. But now, an ambitious start-up in Japan is aiming to make space tourism accessible to everyone and “democratize space” with a two-seater balloon flight that will take passengers into the stratosphere.
Iwaya Giken, based in Sapporo, northern Japan, is hoping to bring down the cost of space tourism by offering a cheaper alternative to traditional spacecrafts. The balloon flight will take passengers up to 30 kilometers above sea level and offer them stunning views of Earth from the stratosphere. Passengers will be able to experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the planet as they float through space.
Figure 2. JAPANESE COMPANY BRINGS ASTRONOMICALLY EXPENSIVE SPACE TOURISM WITHIN REACH OF THE COMMON MASSES (Sood, 2023). Retrieved from www.yankodesign.com
The company plans to launch commercial flights in 2024 and hopes that their service will open up opportunities for people who would otherwise not be able to afford traditional space travel. They also plan on offering educational programs and research opportunities for students who are interested in learning more about outer space.
This is an exciting development in the field of space exploration and could revolutionize how we view our planet from above. With Iwaya Giken’s innovative approach, we may soon be seeing more people taking advantage of this unique opportunity to explore outer space without breaking the bank!
Sources:
https://www.yankodesign.com/2023/02/27/japanese-company-brings-astronomically-expensive-space-tourism-within-reach-of-the-common-masses/
https://flipboard.com/topic/blueorigin/japanese-company-brings-astronomically-expensive