An historical-critical survey of the contemporary state-of-the-art of space
tourism industrial development identified eighteen factors suggestive of the significance
of this phenomenon. Initially it was discovered that there have already been space
tourists, and that some space tourism capacity was presently available. It must be
admitted that the space tourism industry was a contemporary phenomenon, albeit at an
embryonic stage of development. There appeared to be a trend towards space tourism,
and a space tourism movement was identified. Space tourism plans of several firms
were described as were numerous instances of contemporary space tourism investment.
Space tourism construction and manufacturing was underway and was documented. A
number of space tourism firms were accepting reservations and taking deposits, such as
Virgin Galactic and Space Adventures. Space tourism test flights were conducted with
regularity by several competing vendors. Space tourism licenses and permits were
routinely applied for and obtained. Space tourism transportation technological adequacy
was documented, and the space tourism infrastructure seemed to be adequate. Space
tourism was an inevitable development some sources contended. The proliferation of
space tourism firms was observed. The fact that a space tourism market currently
existed was noted. The relative safety of space tourism was described.
Keywords: Research and development, spaceport, space hotel, space tourism
construction, space tourism deposit, space tourism firm, space tourism industry,
space tourism investment, space tourism license, space tourism market, space
tourism movement, space tourism permit, space tourism plan, space tourism
reservation, space tourism safety, space tourism technology, space tourism
vendor, space tourist, test flight, trend to space tourism.
