A literally out-of-this-world escapade is on the way for those who are looking for some extreme adventure. (Photo : Getty Images)
The world is such a vast beauty, full of magnificent destinations waiting to be visited by travel enthusiasts. But a literally out-of-this-world escapade is on the way for those who are looking for some extreme adventure.
A China Daily report said that ChinaRocket Co. Ltd., a recently established commercial space company in Beijing, is set to start a space tourism in 2020. The plans were revealed by the company's president Han Qingping during the New Power of Space Industry Forum which was held on Monday in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province.
Han said that the initial offering for the commercial space travel in 2020 includes flying to an altitude of 80 kilometers aboard a 10-metric ton reusable spacecraft which can carry three to five travelers.
This distance, which reaches to the upper part of the mesosphere, is higher than that covered by jets and balloons but lower than that of satellites. This is a high-atmosphere travel and allows the passengers to experience weightlessness.
According to Han, there will be a preliminary flight in 2018.
By 2025, there will be an upgrade to a bigger 100-ton spacecraft which can carry up to 20 travelers and can reach a height of 140 kilometers. This is beyond the 100-kilometer mark set by the International Astronautical Federation as the beginning of space.
The cost for this thrilling spatial adventure is not yet disclosed, but travelers who are eager to see the world from a 'highly' different perspective still have some four years to save up.
ChinaRocket was founded in mid-October by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, which is in turn a subordinate of the bigger China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, which is the state-owned chief contractor for the China's space program.
