ABSTRACT

Unlike Scaled Composites, Space Exploration Technologies, or Bigelow Aerospace, Space Adventures, Ltd., resisted entering the business of manufacturing spacecraft or space habitats. Today, the firm offers two major packages: orbital flights currently beginning at $30 million and suborbital flights for $102,000. It has also entered into joint ventures to market spacecraft and develop spaceports outside the United States. Despite Space Adventures' reputation for selling glamourous and even controversial travel packages to the superrich, the company anticipates expanding into the wider commercial market for more affordable suborbital travel. Once Mysasishchev perfects the design and manufacture of the Explorer, Space Adventures plans to sell the vehicles to spaceports located around the world. Space Adventures also offers a host of other services, so-called "Steps to Space", all space-related, but not as intensive or expensive as the famous flights to the International Space Station.