Wonder what the Jetsons in the cartoon series had for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Well, you could soon find out at Spaceport Singapore, the $115 million (USD) integrated spaceport that is to be developed at a site near Changi Airport, Singapore.
The integrated spaceport, recently announced by US-based space tourism company Space Adventures together with a Singapore-based consortium, will offer suborbital spaceflights, as well as operate astronaut training facilities and a public education and interactive visitor centre. Not to mention the restaurant that will serve astronaut food.
Suborbital flights are the focal point of the proposed Spaceport Singapore. As the suborbital vehicle reaches its maximum altitude of 100 km, passengers will experience up to five minutes of continuous weightlessness, while gazing at the blackness of space set against the horizon of the earth.
“Countries around the world are only just realising the enormous commercial possibilities of space tourism. The market potential for suborbital spaceflights alone is estimated at US$1billion annually,” said Eric Anderson, President and CEO, Space Adventures, the only company to have sent private citizens into space. “The facility in Singapore will give the world a whole new perspective on space tourism.”
The suborbital space transportation system, ‘Explorer’, will be able to transport up to five persons into space. Space Adventures claims it will maintain the highest degree of safety during the flight. The system consists of a flight-operational carrier aircraft, the M-55X and a rocket spacecraft.
In addition to providing suborbital spaceflights, Spaceport Singapore, will also offer a wide range of space and high altitude experiences for those who wish to experience various aspects of astronaut training. These include parabolic flights that will allow passengers to experience the thrill of weightlessness, G-force training in a centrifuge, and stimulated space walks in a neutral buoyancy tank. Visitors can fly in a variety of jet aircraft, enjoy the exhilarating flight simulators and interactive exhibit experiences, or simply learn about the history and technology of space travel.
“Students can even participate in a special multi-day space camp that will inspire the next generation of scientists,” said an official.
