mercredi 7 janvier 2015

Virgin Galactic crash: is there a future for space tourism?

Virgin Galactic crash: is there a future for space tourism?

The crash of Virgin Galactic Spaceshiptwo, causing the death of its pilot, raises questions about space tourism.

By Antoine Combes & Sophie Lattes.


One week ago, Virgin Galactic Spaceshiptwo crashed in the Mojave Desert in California, causing the death of co-pilot Michael Alsbury and seriously injuring pilot Pete Siebold. 

Spaceshiptwo and its mothership Whiteknight.
                                                                                                                             
This project was supposed to start on a commercial basis by the end of 2014. The spaceship can accommodate 6 passengers in addition to 2 pilots. First, this spaceship is towed by its mothership, named « White Knight », to an altitude of 60, 000 feet. Then Spaceshiptwo detaches itself from « White knight » at the speed of 1870 miles per hour to reach an altitude of 68, 900 feet in ten seconds. Finally the passengers can enjoy the effects of zero gravity for a few minutes and surely the most impressive view of Earth in the galaxy.

« Spaceshiptwo detaches itself from « White knight »
at the speed of 1870 miles per hour ».   
In the Mojave Desert, the huge debris field suggests that Spaceshiptwo exploded in flight, but Christofer Hart, president of the National Transportation Safety Board (N.T.S.B.) announced that the investigation will last at least 9 months. However, investigators have already reported several anomalies 20 seconds before the loss of communication, which leads them to focus on human failure. Even though these anomalies might not be the real cause of the accident, Virgin Galactic will certainly have to review its programme and the idea of tourist flights launched from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Despite all this, Richard Branson is confident about the future of the project: « Space is hard to master but worth it. We will persevere and move forward together ». 
« In the Mojave Desert, the huge debris field suggests
 that Spaceshiptwo exploded in flight ».

Behind this tragic accident, the whole space tourism sector is being put into question. After the crash, Tom Bower, author of a biography of Richard Branson, stated in an interview that many Virgin Galactic engineers resigned because of their concern for the safety of the ship, especially after an accident in 2007. Some experts have criticized Mr. Branson for playing Russian Roulette with human lives. And the controversy continues.

This deadly case also brings light to another aspect of space tourism which is starting to become a concern in other sector: the environment. Undeniably, if travelling through space may be one of man's dreams, the fuel consumption of the spaceships is surely one of Earth's biggest nightmares. The motors of Spaceshiptwo release a specific kind of soot which can efficiently trap solar radiation in the stratosphere. Some scientists have already predicted that in ten years, at the rate of 10 flights per year, the climate change effect will be equal to that caused by all regular flights in a year. As world opinion becomes more and more sensitive to pollution, these numbers speak for themselves. 

The dream of seeing planet Earth from space seems to justify any cost.


Indeed, clients has to pay $ 200,000 to enjoy just 3 minutes of zero gravity. Nevertheless, Richard Branson has declared that his company has already received 38, 000 reservations. These huge sums of money create controversy: how should we react when the wealthiest men on Earth throw their money into a 3 minute experience which literally destroys the atmosphere? This project for the « happy few », with its terrible ecological price, sounds like a new way to display their wealth to the world.


The U.S. government finally authorised this programme in May 2014, five years after its creation, but the recent failure will certainly curb the idea of space tourism. Let’s hope that this tragic accident will remind everyone that the conquest of space doesn’t justify any cost, especially when it comes to running a for-profit business.


Did you know..? 

While testing a motor of Spaceshiptwo in 2007, a fuel tank exploded, killing 3 engineers. Some experts continue to say that the motor wasn’t reliable, and that the accident is due to Richard Branson‘s irresponsibility.




Sources : 




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