Space Exploration

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In about 7.5 billion years, the Earth will get absorbed by the Sun. Even though that time seems so far away, it is imperative that we take the initiative to explore space in order to ensure the survival of the human race. These ventures will allow us to find planets that could potentially be habitable or could be made to be habitable by humans in the future. Hand-in-hand with space exploration is space tourism, a growing industry that will allow regular civilians to experience the thrill of space!

In 2002, SpaceX was founded by serial entrepreneur Elon Musk. SpaceX’s long-term mission is to land a rocket on Mars. SpaceX manufactures communication satellites, Cargo Dragons (partially reusable cargo spacecraft), crew spacecraft, rocket engines, partially reusable launch vehicles, and the Falcon 9, the “first orbital-class rocket capable of reflight”. In 2023, SpaceX is going to start private space tours with the help of Axiom Space, the “world’s first commercial space station”. Guests will be able to explore space in SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Capsule and stay there for eight nights at a whopping $55 million per seat!

In 2000, Blue Origin was founded by Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin’s mission is to “Increase access to space through reusable rockets”. The company uses an environmentally controlled capsule with an aerodynamically designed ring, reusable rockets, and wedge fins that reduce fuel use when heading back to Earth. In addition, the company is working on sending tourists to explore space on a reusable rocket called New Shepard.

In 2004, Virgin Galactic was founded by Richard Branson. Virgin Galactic’s mission is “to be the spaceline for Earth”. They currently operate The Spaceship Company, which contains SpaceShipTwo — "the world’s first passenger carrying spaceship to be built by a private company and operated in commercial service". They also operate WhiteKnightTwo — "a custom-built, carrier aircraft". Virgin Galactic is working on fulfilling a new mission called Unity 22. In this mission, they are testing a rocket that will hold space tourists, allowing them to experience space travel in an aircraft with large windows, which would give the passengers a great view.

On July 15, 1916, Boeing was founded by William E. Boeing; his mission was for “People [to work] together as a global enterprise for aerospace industry leadership" . Boeing is the largest aerospace company in the world, dominating the security and space systems manufacturing industry as well as being a service provider for aftermarket support, commercial jet lines, and defence. Boeing’s most recent project is the 777X: the world’s largest, most efficient twin jet with 10% fewer emissions and operating costs than other jet companies’ equivalents. All four featured companies recognize the significance of exploring space and what we can learn from it. They foresee our planet becoming incapable of tolerating global warming forever, thus why it is imperative that we study alternative habitats beyond the stars.

Works Cited

• Blue Origin, 18 Aug. 2021, www.blueorigin.com/.

• “Boeing in Brief.” Boeing, www.boeing.com/company/general-info/#:~:text=Boeing%20is%20the%20world's%20largest,service%20provider%20of%20aftermarket%20support.

• “Introducing the 777X.” Boeing, www.boeing.com/commercial/777x/.

• “List of Private Spaceflight Companies.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Aug. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_private_spaceflight_companies.

• Mak, Aaron. “What a Ticket on Jeff Bezos' Rocket Will Cost You.” Slate Magazine, Slate, 20 July 2021, slate.com/technology/2021/07/blue-origin-cost-jeff-bezos-space-virgin-galactic-spacex.html.

• SpaceX, www.spacex.com/mission/.

• Virgin Galactic, www.virgingalactic.com/.

• “World's First Commercial Space Station.” Axiom Space, https://www.axiomspace.com/.