Tourists in Space: A Practical Guide illustrated edition

Recent surveys have provided new and updated information into public insights of the nascent space tourism industry. Erik Seedhouse uniquely explores in detail the cutting-edge technologies, spacecraft capabilities, launch vehicles and the training that will define this commercial enterprise and also provides a manual for future suborbital and orbital private space explorers. This overview of the space tourism market is based upon choices the spaceflight participant must make, such as choice of agency, mode and spaceport. A detailed explanation is given of the medical requirements for spaceflight participants, with special reference to potential waiver criteria. Over half of the book is a comprehensive astronaut training/instructional manual that addresses each of the 15 subjects required for suborbital and orbital flight. A DVD with instructional lectures in the form of powerpoint slides is included.

Recent surveys have provided new and updated information into public insights of the nascent space tourism industry. Erik Seedhouse uniquely explores in detail the cutting-edge technologies, spacecraft capabilities, launch vehicles and the training that will define this commercial enterprise and also provides a manual for future suborbital and orbital private space explorers. This overview of the space tourism market is based upon choices the spaceflight participant must make, such as choice of agency, mode and spaceport. A detailed explanation is given of the medical requirements for spaceflight participants, with special reference to potential waiver criteria. Over half of the book is a comprehensive astronaut training/instructional manual that addresses each of the 15 subjects required for suborbital and orbital flight. Following an Introduction examining the commercial potential for space tourism, Section 1 covers Suborbital Flight. Chapter 1 opens with a description and analysis of the significance of SpaceShipOne. Chapter 2 gives the Suborbital frontrunner profiles, mission architectures and technical aspects from launch to landing while the following chapter details the training and medical requirements for space tourists. Section 2 covers the same aspects for Orbital Flight, including a civilian astronaut training manual, enabling technologies, capabilities and personnel. A description is given of the anticipated on-orbit phases that will introduce the potential spaceflight participant or reader to the capsule, rendezvous, medical support, mission events and de-orbit phase. Section 3 gives a detailed assessment of the future of space tourism based on current technologies, commercial applications, military use and Lunar and Mars missions. Countries without space programs are also included. Erik Seedhouse provides a much needed, well-rounded understanding of what promises to be the most dynamic, multi-faceted and exciting industry in the world. He shows how seemingly innocuous players are disproving long held beliefs about what can be achieved in space despite the inherent complexities, and why this industry may soon define the new norm in space travel.

Recent surveys have provided new and updated information into public insights of the nascent space tourism industry. This book uniquely explores in detail the cutting-edge technologies, spacecraft capabilities, launch vehicles and the training that will define this commercial enterprise. The book also provides a manual for future suborbital and orbital private space explorers. Over half of the book is dedicated to providing for the first time essential training material for private spaceflight participants. This book provides a much needed, well-rounded understanding of what promises to be the most dynamic and exciting industry in the world.

From the reviews: "Tourists in Space is a unique book, and its subtitle 'A Practical Guide' hints at what is inside. ! If you are interested in the physiological side of spaceflight then this book is for you ! ." (Nick Quinn, Astronomy Now, August, 2008) "Tourists in Space: A Practical Guide ! look at suborbital and orbital space tourism, particularly for those people considering signing up for a ride into space. ! the book goes into considerable detail about what sort of training prospective spaceflight participants (to use the official FAA terminology, as Seedhouse does in the book) should undergo, and why. ! a good investment to see what they're getting into." (Jeff Foust, National Space Society, July, 2008) "Seedhouse's book is an enthusiastic foray into the 'adventurpreneurial' world of space tourism. ! The book begins with an exciting account of the flight of SpaceshipOne, the X Prize-winning 2004 flight ! . Topics include current space tourism companies, which types of space planes or rockets are likely to be safest, the variety of training regimens that may be required, and what to expect during suborbital and orbital flights. ! It is a good read for armchair astronauts, too. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers/libraries." (T. D. Oswalt, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (11), August, 2008) "This book sets out to give readers an account of the range of possibilities likely to become available in the next few years -- and what they would be letting themselves in for. ! The author writes with a good balance of enthusiasm and caution. ! Altogether, he has provided a useful tourist guide ! for potential and armchair travellers." (Peredur Williams, The Observatory, Vol. 128 (1206), October, 2008)

Preface		xvii
Acknowledgements		xix
About the author		xxi
List of figures		xxiii
List of tables		xxv
List of abbreviations and acronyms		xxvii
Introduction: Commercial potential for space tourism		1	(1)
Defining space and space tourists		1	(1)
The demand for space tourism		2	(4)
The Futron/Zogby Poll		2	(1)
The Adventurers' Survey		2	(4)
Regulatory issues		6	(1)
Legal considerations and regulations		7	(2)
FAA requirements		7	(1)
Liability in space		7	(1)
Licensing		8	(1)
Insurance		9	(1)
Safety		9	(2)
References		11	(2)
Strapping rockets to dreams: The significance of SpaceShipOne		13	(8)
The flight of N328KF		13	(3)
What happened next		16	(1)
Lessons learned from SpaceShipOne		17	(2)
The future		19	(2)
Suborbital company profiles, technology drivers, and mission architecture		21	(26)
Suborbital flight risks		21	(6)
The role of the Federal Aviation Administration		22	(1)
Quantitative analysis		23	(1)
Safety system process		23	(1)
Vehicle type		24	(1)
Engine configuration		24	(1)
Human factor elements		24	(2)
Rocket motors		26	(1)
Choice of spaceport		26	(1)
Cost of training and flight		27	(1)
Suborbital companies		27	(1)
Virgin Galactic		27	(2)
Profile		27	(1)
Technology		28	(1)
Mission architecture		29	(1)
Spaceport and tourist attractions		29	(1)
Rocketplane		29	(3)
Profile		29	(1)
Technology		30	(2)
Mission architecture		32	(1)
Spaceport		32	(1)
SpaceDev		32	(2)
Profile		32	(1)
Technology		33	(1)
Mission architecture		34	(1)
Spaceport and tourist attractions		34	(1)
XCOR Aerospace		34	(2)
Profile		34	(1)
Technology		35	(1)
Mission architecture		36	(1)
Spaceport		36	(1)
EADS Astrium		36	(3)
Profile		37	(1)
Technology		37	(1)
Mission architecture		37	(2)
Spaceport		39	(1)
Starchaser		39	(2)
Profile		39	(1)
Technology		39	(1)
Mission architecture		39	(1)
Spaceport		40	(1)
Blue Origin		41	(2)
Profile		41	(1)
Technology		41	(1)
Mission architecture		41	(1)
Spaceport		42	(1)
Armadillo Aerospace		43	(1)
Profile		43	(1)
Technology		43	(1)
Mission architecture		43	(1)
Spaceport		43	(1)
Da Vinci Project		43	(2)
Profile		43	(1)
Technology		44	(1)
Mission architecture		44	(1)
Spaceport		45	(1)
References		45	(2)
Medical and training requirements for suborbital flight		47	(34)
Training and medical requirements for suborbital flight		47	(2)
Information for the spaceflight participant medical certificate		49	(3)
Issuance, denial, and deferral		49	(1)
Considerations when scheduling a medical examination		50	(1)
Completing the medical forms		51	(1)
Administration		51	(1)
Before the examination		51	(1)
Generic suborbital training program		52	(1)
Day 1		52	(1)
Day 2		53	(1)
Morning of Day 2		54	(6)
History and overview of astronaut selection: Academic Module SA1		54	(1)
Spaceflight theory: Academic Module SA1		55	(2)
Vehicle indoctrination session: Academic Module VA1		57	(1)
Environmental Control and Life Support System		57	(1)
Flight Control System		58	(1)
Reaction Control System		58	(1)
Thermal Protection System		58	(1)
Data Acquisition System and Integrated Vehicle Health Management System		58	(1)
High-altitude indoctrination training, Part I: Academic Module HA1		59	(1)
Afternoon of Day 2		60	(4)
Basic space physiology: Academic Module PA1		60	(1)
Survival training: Practical Module SP1		60	(1)
High-altitude indoctrination training, Part II: Academic Module HA2		61	(1)
G-tolerance training: Academic Module GA1		62	(1)
Cardiovascular effects of +Gz		63	(1)
Individual tolerance to +G		64	(1)
Day 3		64	(1)
Morning of Day 3		65	(1)
Hypobaric chamber orientation: Practical Module HP1		65	(1)
Afternoon of Day 3		65	(3)
Centrifuge training: Module GP1		65	(3)
Day 4		68	(1)
Morning of Day 4		69	(6)
Basics of zero-G: Academic Module ZA1		69	(1)
Zero-G: Practical Module ZP1		70	(1)
Spaceflight theory: suborbital trajectory and flight dynamics: Academic Module SA2		71	(1)
Ascent trajectory		71	(1)
Launch modes		72	(3)
Afternoon of Day 4		75	(2)
Launch Escape System: Academic Module VA2		75	(1)
Survival training: Academic Module SA1		76	(1)
Vehicle systems simulator: Practical Module VP1		76	(1)
Day 5		77	(1)
Morning of Day 5		77	(2)
References		79	(2)
Orbital flight: The orbital experience, company profiles, mission architectures, and enabling technologies		81	(28)
Changing the orbital launch industry		81	(1)
Who can afford orbital flight?		82	(1)
The orbital experience		83	(1)
The six preflight steps		83	(1)
The flight		84	(2)
Launch phase		84	(1)
Orbital phase		85	(1)
Leaving orbit		85	(1)
After the flight		85	(1)
Orbital flight risks		86	(2)
Orbital flight risk assessment		86	(1)
Abort procedures		87	(1)
Emergency Egress System		87	(1)
Company profiles		88	(1)
Bigelow Aerospace		88	(7)
Company profile		89	(1)
Enabling technologies		90	(2)
Mission architecture		92	(3)
Space Exporation Technologies		95	(3)
Company profile		95	(1)
Enabling technologies		96	(1)
Mission architecture		97	(1)
Spaceport		97	(1)
Rocketplane Kistler Aerospace Corporation		98	(3)
Company profile		98	(1)
Enabling technologies		98	(2)
Mission architecture		100	(1)
Spaceport		100	(1)
SpaceDev, Inc./Benson Space Company		101	(2)
Company profile		101	(1)
Enabling technologies		102	(1)
Mission architecture		103	(1)
Spaceport		103	(1)
Transformational Space Corporation		103	(3)
Company profile		103	(1)
Enabling technologies		104	(1)
Mission architecture		105	(1)
References		106	(3)
Medical certification: Spaceflight participant medical standards and certification		109	(30)
The spaceflight environment		109	(9)
Physiological vs. pathophysiological effects		109	(1)
Cardiovascular system		110	(1)
Bone and muscle metabolism		110	(1)
Hematological and immunological parameters		111	(1)
Endocrine changes		111	(1)
Neurovestibular system		112	(1)
Psychiatric		112	(1)
Radiation		113	(1)
Toxicological hazards		114	(3)
Circadian rhythms		117	(1)
Countermeasures		117	(1)
Medical examination		118	(8)
Space Medical Operations Center		118	(2)
Medical examination		120	(3)
Outcomes of your medical examination		123	(3)
Medical standards		126	(1)
Endocrine system		127	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		127	(1)
Genitourinary system		127	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		127	(1)
Respiratory system		127	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		128	(1)
Cardiovascular system		128	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		128	(1)
Gastrointestinal system		129	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		129	(1)
Neurological		129	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		129	(1)
Psychological and psychiatric evaluation		130	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		131	(1)
Ophthalmology		131	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		131	(1)
Ear, nose, throat, and equilibrium		132	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		132	(1)
Musculoskeletal system		133	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		133	(1)
Hematological and immunologic function		133	(1)
Consequences for spaceflight		133	(1)
General medical condition and discretionary issuance		133	(1)
Certification procedures		134	(3)
Special issuance of spaceflight participant medical certificate		134	(1)
Reports, falsifications, alterations, and incorrect statements		135	(1)
Denial of certification and medical records		135	(1)
Other roles of the Space Medical Operations Center		135	(2)
References		137	(2)
Training for orbital flight		139	(146)
Orbital training modules		140	(1)
Assessment and qualification		140	(4)
Orbital Training Syllabus		144	(1)
Week 1		144	(2)
Week 2		146	(2)
Week 3		148	(2)
Week 4		150	(2)
Week 5		152	(3)
Module 1 Introduction to the space environment		155	(32)
Submodule A Space physiology		155	(1)
Introduction		155	(1)
Cardiovascular system		156	(2)
Control of blood flow and blood pressure		158	(1)
What happens in spaceflight?		159	(1)
Orthostatic hypotension		160	(2)
Muscle structure and function		162	(1)
Ground-based analogs		163	(1)
Tilt table		163	(1)
Bed rest		164	(1)
Water immersion		164	(1)
Countermeasure strategies		165	(1)
Pharmacological and exercise countermeasures		165	(1)
Lower-body negative pressure		166	(1)
Operational countermeasure procedures		167	(3)
Submodule B Launch to landing		170	(3)
Submodule C Radiation and space weather		173	(1)
Introduction		173	(1)
Measuring radiation		174	(2)
Low Earth orbit environment		176	(1)
Types of space radiation		177	(2)
Biological effects of radiation		179	(2)
Direct effects		181	(1)
Early systemic effects		181	(2)
Late effects		183	(1)
Secondary effects of radiation		184	(1)
Electrical charging		184	(1)
Single-event upsets		185	(2)
Module 2 Survival training		187	(28)
Cold-weather survival		187	(1)
Cold-weather environments		188	(1)
Windchill		188	(1)
Essential principles of cold-weather survival		189	(1)
Medical aspects		189	(2)
Shelters, fire, water, and food		191	(2)
Travel		193	(1)
Desert survival		193	(1)
The desert environment		193	(1)
Weather		194	(1)
Wildlife		194	(1)
Survival equipment		194	(1)
Medical problems		195	(1)
Navigation		196	(1)
Water		197	(1)
Sea survival		198	(1)
Swim test		199	(1)
The ocean and basic precautionary measures		199	(1)
Capsule and raft survival procedures		200	(2)
Cold and hot-weather considerations		202	(2)
Short water and fish and food procurement procedures		204	(1)
Medical problems associated with sea survival		205	(2)
Sharks		207	(1)
Detecting land; rafting and beaching techniques		208	(1)
Swimming ashore, pickup, and rescue		208	(1)
Tropical survival		209	(1)
Tropical climates		209	(1)
Weather		210	(1)
Water		210	(1)
Food sources		211	(1)
Navigation and travel		212	(1)
Hazards		213	(1)
Medical problems		213	(2)
Module 3 Medical training		215	(18)
Crew Health Care System		217	(4)
Principles and methods for rendering first aid in microgravity		221	(1)
Cardiopulmonary techniques in microgravity		221	(1)
Resuscitating patients in ventricular fibrillation		222	(1)
Advanced life support procedures		223	(1)
Telemedicine		223	(1)
Ultrasound		223	(1)
Medical criteria for evacuation from orbit		224	(1)
Inflight health evaluation		224	(1)
Radiation protection		225	(2)
Radiation exposure		227	(1)
Radiation monitoring		228	(5)
Module 4 G tolerance and high-altitude indoctrination training		233	(18)
Rapid decompression physiology		234	(1)
Introduction		234	(1)
Cabin pressures and physiological responses		234	(1)
Respiratory physiology		234	(2)
Trapped gas		236	(2)
Altitude decompression sickness		238	(2)
Rapid/Explosive decompression		240	(1)
Medical interventions following rapid decompression		241	(1)
High-altitude indoctrination		242	(1)
Ground school		242	(1)
Practical preparation		242	(1)
Prebreathe		243	(1)
Exposure to high altitude and rapid decompression		244	(1)
Flight to 25,000 meters		244	(1)
G-tolerance theory		245	(1)
Introduction		245	(1)
Cardiovascular effects of +Gz		246	(1)
Respiratory effects of +Gz		246	(1)
Sensory effects of +Gz		246	(1)
Individual tolerance to +Gz		247	(1)
G-tolerance training overview		248	(1)
Ground school		248	(1)
Practical preparation		248	(1)
G-tolerance test		249	(2)
Module 5 Space motion sickness and zero-G theory		251	(14)
Introduction to space motion sickness		251	(1)
Space motion sickness symptoms		252	(1)
Essential neurovestibular physiology		252	(1)
Etiology		253	(1)
Space motion sickness research		254	(1)
Vection		254	(2)
Preflight Adaptation Facility		256	(1)
Autogenic feedback training		256	(1)
AFT theory		256	(1)
AFT training		256	(1)
AFT system		257	(1)
Virtual reality and generic preflight visual orientation and navigation training		258	(1)
Introduction		258	(1)
Virtual reorientation illusion/intravehicular (IVA) training		258	(1)
Virtual Environment Generator training		259	(1)
Parabolic flight		260	(1)
Incremental velocity and unusual attitude training		261	(4)
Module 6 Onboard systems orientation and generic vehicle orientation		265	(10)
Onboard systems orientation		265	(1)
Environmental Control and Life Support System		266	(2)
Operational communications		268	(1)
Guidance, navigation, and control		268	(1)
Generic vehicle orientation		269	(1)
Food Preparation System		269	(1)
Crew launch and entry suit and on-orbit clothing		270	(1)
Sleeping quarters		270	(1)
Personal hygiene and general housekeeping		271	(1)
Photography and photographic equipment		271	(1)
Restraint and mobility devices		272	(1)
Equipment stowage		272	(1)
Exercise equipment		272	(1)
Supply and waste water		272	(1)
Waste Collection System		273	(2)
Modules 7 and 8 Flight and emergency procedures		275	(10)
Commercial applications of space tourism		285	(8)
Commercialization timeline		285	(1)
Support infrastructure		286	(2)
Space elevators		287	(1)
Research		288	(2)
Spaceflight participants as scientists		288	(1)
Future research possibilities		289	(1)
Space diving		290	(3)
Orbital Outfitters		290	(1)
Diving from space		291	(2)
Advanced space tourism		293	(12)
Lunar tourism		293	(2)
Living as a lunar tourist		293	(1)
Lunar activities		294	(1)
When to go		294	(1)
Preparations		294	(1)
Venus		295	(1)
Venusian characteristics		295	(1)
Traveling around Venus		295	(1)
Mars		296	(2)
Mars by the numbers		296	(1)
Getting there		296	(1)
What to see		296	(1)
Traveling on Mars		297	(1)
Excursions to Phobos and Deimos		298	(1)
Asteroids		298	(1)
Europa		298	(3)
Europan introduction		299	(1)
Attractions		300	(1)
Oceanic exploration		300	(1)
Staying on Europa		301	(1)
Exoplanets		301	(1)
Hazards of extreme space tourism		302	(3)
Interplanetary debris		302	(1)
Solar flares		302	(1)
Health risks of interplanetary flight		302	(2)
Living on an interplanetary spacecraft		304	(1)
Psychological support		304	(1)
Epilogue		305	(2)
Index		307

Dr. Erik Seedhouse is eminently qualified to write this informative handbook for all potential spaceflight participants. He was an Astronaut Training Consultant and wrote the Spaceflight Participants Flight Surgeon's Manual for Bigelow Aerospace in 2005. He also developed astronaut training protocols for future spaceflight participants and wrote and edited several chapters of Bigelow Aerospace's Astronaut Training Manual. He has written many technical and scientific articles as well as articles for Spaceflight magazine. Erik Seedhouse is a research scientist specializing in environmental life sciences and physiology, for which he obtained his Ph.D. in Physiology while working for the European Space Agency between 1996 and 1998.