When will average people feasibly be able to afford a commercial trip into orbit? –Mike, via AOL
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What Zegrahm and its partners propose is an update of the old X-15 rocket plane from the 50s (design is being overseen by a company called Vela Technology Development). As with the X-15, which was launched from a B-52, two vehicles are involved. The Space Cruiser is a craft vaguely like the space shuttle that will carry six passengers and two pilots. It’ll be borne aloft by the Sky Lifter, a larger aircraft along the lines of Britain’s Vulcan bomber.
The Cruiser will remain suborbital, reaching an altitude of 100 kilometers. The passengers will be weightless for only about two and a half minutes, but they’ll be able to float around the cabin, and one supposes they’ll experience a reasonable approximation of orbital spaceflight. (Possible drawback: when the astronauts did weight-less training in a jet transport flying in a parabolic arc similar to that proposed for the Space Cruiser, they nicknamed it the Vomit Comet.) Interestingly, the Cruiser’s rockets will burn a combination of propane and nitrous oxide, the well-known dental anesthetic. So even if the rest of the project goes bust, the fuel will be good for a few laughs.
There’s a space-hungry public out there, too. Scott says Zegrahm has had inquiries from 6,000 prospective passengers in 42 countries, and 40 true believers have put down all or part of the $98,000 fare. (There’s a $5,000 minimum deposit, in case you’re a little short this week.)
