Space Tourism as a Career: A Galaxy of Opportunities!

Twinkle twinkle a big bright space...and how I wonder to reach your fascinating place..! Oh yes, don't we all have this wild dream of stretching our arms and floating among clouds and stars? Well Space Tourism has made it all come true. And what more adventure will it be if we pick up space tourism as a career and become proud torchbearers for earthworms.

Space Tourism as a career is still at a nascent stage but certainly there is no denying the fact that it has immense scope in future. More and more people are looking up to adventure in this field and explore the fun to travel in space. Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian American was in news in 2006, to become the first female and fourth space tourist in the world. She in her blog famously mentioned that when she looked at her green planet from space she was in tears. And thereafter hundreds of others wanted to feel that priceless experience of looking at their earth and encounter the mystery called Space. For this the industry will need professionals who will be responsible for executing this entire procedure. This will include experts in space flights and after reaching at rotating space hotels and also for sports activity. Might sound strange, but it is truly true.

All the trips taken up by different individuals marked the onset of what could be a flourishing 21st century industry. There are already several space tourism companies planning to build suborbital vehicles and orbital cities within the next two decades. Moreover, these companies have invested millions, believing that the space tourism industry is on the verge of shooting up.

Space Tourism in India

According to Ajey Lele from the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).. space tourism was something where India could play a niche role with its affordable solutions. However, this would take some time. India also has the potential which is expected of a space power. India might not be sending tourists in near future but in most probability the seeds will be sown for this industry to evolve. Once the tourist activities pick up the turnover of the order will be some $100 billion/year by 2030, assuming 5 million guests paying $20,000 each.

Initially the customers will certainly be low and but the past few years have experienced a fair number of tourists. This will be from hundreds a year to thousands per year. The services will also be high thereby brushing the prospects for youngsters dreaming to make it big in this field.

Space Tourism: What is in Store for Aspirants?

The commercialisation of Space Tourism is in sight and thus efforts are being made to prepare a thorough curriculum for the same. The industry will need highly specialised, well read and physically fit workforce for this field. Keeping these facts in mind all those adventurous minds have a long way to go and make an illustrious career for themselves.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences has plans to carry out research work in this area. As of now, only the Indian Air Force is working in the field of aerospace medicine at their centre in Bangalore. Also, a better understanding of global cultural and linguistic differences among the Indian workforce will bring good news for space tourism in India. Countries like the US, Russia and Japan have already started work to have a habitat in Mars by 2030 and are looking for a transportation system to reach Mars. Till then I m sure our young readers are gearing up their engines to mast their flag high on the virtual soil of space.

Source: Prachi Srivastava

Date: 30th August, 2011