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Recent surveys have provided new and updated information into public insights of the nascent space tourism industry. Erik Seedhouse uniquely explores in detail the cutting-edge technologies, spacecraft capabilities, launch vehicles and the training that will define this commercial enterprise.
The author also provides a manual for future suborbital and orbital private space explorers. This overview of the space tourism market is based upon choices the spaceflight participant must make, such as choice of agency, mode and spaceport. A detailed explanation is given of the medical requirements for spaceflight participants, with special reference to potential waiver criteria. Over half of the book is a comprehensive astronaut training/instructional manual that addresses each of the 15 subjects required for suborbital and orbital flight. A DVD with instructional lectures in the form of powerpoint slides is included.
Erik Seedhouse provides a much needed, well-rounded understanding of what promises to be the most dynamic, multi-faceted and exciting industry in the world. He demonstrates why this industry may soon define the new norm in space travel.
Introduction: Commercial Potential for Space Tourism.- Strapping Rockets to Dreams: The Significance of SpaceShipOne.- Suborbital Company Profile, Technology Drivers, and Mission Architecture.- Medical and Training Requirements for Suborbital Flight.- Orbital Flight: The Orbital Experience, Company Profiles, Mission Architectures, and Enabling Technologies.- Medical Certification: Spaceflight Participant Medical Standards and Certification.- Training for Orbital Flight.- Commercial Applications of Space Tourism.- Advanced Space Tourism.- Epilogue.- Index.
Dr. Erik Seedhouse is eminently qualified to write this informative handbook for all potential spaceflight participants. He was an Astronaut Training Consultant and wrote the Spaceflight Participants Flight Surgeon's Manual for Bigelow Aerospace in 2005. He also developed astronaut training protocols for future spaceflight participants and wrote and edited several chapters of Bigelow Aerospace's Astronaut Training Manual. He has written many technical and scientific articles as well as articles for Spaceflight magazine. Erik Seedhouse is a research scientist specializing in environmental life sciences and physiology, for which he obtained his Ph.D. in Physiology while working for the European Space Agency between 1996 and 1998.
From the reviews: "Tourists in Space is a unique book, and its subtitle 'A Practical Guide' hints at what is inside. ! If you are interested in the physiological side of spaceflight then this book is for you ! ." (Nick Quinn, Astronomy Now, August, 2008) "Tourists in Space: A Practical Guide ! look at suborbital and orbital space tourism, particularly for those people considering signing up for a ride into space. ! the book goes into considerable detail about what sort of training prospective spaceflight participants (to use the official FAA terminology, as Seedhouse does in the book) should undergo, and why. ! a good investment to see what they're getting into." (Jeff Foust, National Space Society, July, 2008) "Seedhouse's book is an enthusiastic foray into the 'adventurpreneurial' world of space tourism. ! The book begins with an exciting account of the flight of SpaceshipOne, the X Prize-winning 2004 flight ! . Topics include current space tourism companies, which types of space planes or rockets are likely to be safest, the variety of training regimens that may be required, and what to expect during suborbital and orbital flights. ! It is a good read for armchair astronauts, too. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers/libraries." (T. D. Oswalt, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), August, 2008) "This book sets out to give readers an account of the range of possibilities likely to become available in the next few years -- and what they would be letting themselves in for. ! The author writes with a good balance of enthusiasm and caution. ! Altogether, he has provided a useful tourist guide ! for potential and armchair travellers." (Peredur Williams, The Observatory, Vol. 128 (1206), October, 2008)
