Mains Marathon 2024

Approach Briefly introduce Space tourism Identify potential benefits for India in participating space tourism Challenges involved in space tourism Mention a way forward Conclude suitably

Introduction

Space tourism is a specialized sector of aviation offering recreational, leisure, or business travel experiences in space. Space travel starts around 100 km above Earth, beyond the Karman line, which separates the Earth’s atmosphere from outer space.

Body

Space Tourism Market and Potential Benefits

• Rapid Market Growth: The space tourism industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 40.2%, from a valuation of USD 695.1 million in 2022 to USD 8,669.2 million by 2030. The sub-orbital segment dominated in 2022, while the orbital segment is forecasted to experience the fastest growth.
• ISRO’s Role and Expertise: Leveraging ISRO’s successful space missions and cost-efficient programs could lead to competitive pricing and increased accessibility for space tourism. ISRO is developing a reusable space tourism module with an estimated cost of Rs 6 crore per trip, anticipated for launch by 2030.
• Public-Private Partnerships: India is fostering public-private collaborations in space, exemplified by initiatives like New Space India Limited (NSIL) and projects such as PSLV-C53, which attract investment and drive innovation.
• Future Prospects: Space tourism is expected to cater to the wealthy by 2030, with potential expansions into lunar missions and longer space stays. The industry is also moving towards sustainability with a focus on reusable rockets to reduce space debris.
• Technological and Exploratory Expansion: Beyond sub-orbital and orbital flights, companies are aiming for lunar and deep space missions, with ongoing developments in space exploration by entities like ISRO, NASA, ESA, and others.

Challenges to Space Tourism

• Environmental Impact: Spacecraft launches generate significant energy use, air and noise pollution, and emissions that contribute to climate change and atmospheric damage.
• Safety Concerns: Despite safety measures, space tourism carries risks of catastrophic accidents with severe consequences.
• High Costs: Space tourism is currently expensive, accessible only to the wealthy, with costs for trips around the Moon reaching up to USD 70-100 million, leading to issues of inequality and elitism.
• Space Debris: Each launch creates debris that persists in orbit, posing risks to other spacecraft and potentially causing damage.
• Resource Depletion: The high resource consumption for space travel, including energy and materials, could have long-term environmental impacts and affect resource availability.
• Legal Issues: The evolving legal framework for space tourism raises uncertainties about liability and impacts international space laws, including the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.

Conclusion

Space tourism is rapidly expanding, with significant growth expected due to increasing demand and advancements in technology. India's entry into this field, driven by ISRO's innovations and public-private partnerships, positions it as a key player on the global stage. However, the industry must address challenges such as environmental impacts, high costs, safety concerns, space debris, and legal uncertainties. Balancing these challenges with the potential benefits will be crucial for sustainable development and broader accessibility in the space tourism sector.