According to an Economic Voice report on “Global Business,” space travel, once considered the exclusive domain of astronauts and a handful of ultra-wealthy individuals, has now opened its doors to Chinese customers, ushering in a new era of space economy development.
On the 27th, China Exploration Travel Company signed a contract with the Dutch adventure travel company SXC, introducing private space tourism to China and opening bookings to Chinese customers, with the first phase of space travel expected to be realized by the end of 2014.
As long as tourists are under 60 years old and have no history of high blood pressure or heart disease, they can participate. Before heading to space, they will have the opportunity to undergo a one-week physical training session with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines or Air France, including a mission briefing and emergency response procedures.
The space trip will use spacecraft manufactured in the United States, with each spacecraft carrying only one tourist and one astronaut. After a 60-minute flight to reach outer space, the spacecraft will then fly for another 20 minutes, during which tourists can enjoy a view of one-third of the Earth and outer space, and experience weightlessness. The minimum cost is about 580,000 RMB.
The first phase of space travel will reach an altitude of 60 kilometers above sea level, with six spots reserved for Chinese customers; by 2015, new spacecraft will enter service, flying at an altitude of 103 kilometers, at which point space travel will no longer have a quota limit.