A representative program model for developing space tourism

Apart from scientific viewpoint of space, there is an increasing interest for new ventures like space entertainment and space tourism. Affordable space access is essential for the development of new space business, especially space tourism. Properly designed Reusable Launch Vehicles hold promise for low-cost access to space. Financing research and development of Reusable Launch Vehicles requires public or private investors. Investors are only interested in supporting Reusable Launch Vehicle developments, if there is a guarantee that they earn acceptable benefit returns in terms of revenue, prestige, advertising or security at an acceptable risk. Thus, the analysis performed results in a scenario for mass space tourism flights, which attempts to satisfy operator's, passenger's and public's perceived needs and preferences by a systematical approach. The focal point of the investigation is closing the gap between today's „pioneer space tourism“ and possible future's „mass space tourism“. This might be realized (1) by increasing public space awareness, (2) by operating suborbital vehicles for semi-regular flights and (3) by operating orbital vehicles for regular flights during a period of 70 years. Assumed passenger demand may open a new market with an annual turnover of $10 billion within the frame of this representative scenario.