How many of us will go to space?

[mad_scientist]

Looking at the world at how it is right now or is going to be, which countries are likely to have the most number of people going into outer space with many space tourism companies sprouting their way into fruition?

 

Some have claimed a price of $250 000 for a 2.5 hour space trip i believe?

 

is this worth it or not?

 

is it really realistic to see most people go into space in our lifetimes at affordable prices or is the price likely to still be too high for the most of us?

 

what are the chances for people in the below age groups:

0-5

5-10

10-15

etc.

 

??

[DrKrettin]

If you can't find something better to do with $250 000 then there is something wrong with you, or obscenely rich, or both.

[Sensei]

is it really realistic to see most people go into space in our lifetimes at affordable prices or is the price likely to still be too high for the most of us?

 

This is a simple mathematical equation that can help to answer the question:

- how many people live in the world? f.e. 7 billion

- how long does an average person live? f.e. 70 years

70y * 365.25 = approximately 26,000 days of life per person.

7 bln / 26,000 days = approximately 270,000 people would have to fly to cosmos daily to all of them being at least once in cosmos.

Do you find it realistic?

Edited April 12, 2017 by Sensei

[EdEarl]

The fuels that make environmental sense to put many people into space would be H2 and O2 or CH4 and O2; perhaps there are a few more. H2 and O2 can be made by electrolysis of water, but it requires a lot of energy and would be expensive. CH4 and O2 can be made from water and CO2 using high temperature and pressure; the process is reported to be relatively inexpensive. However, the amount of fuel required to rocket masses into space is very large. Thus, the cost will be high to rocket masses into space, maybe it could be reduced to $25,000. Even that price is too much for most people. It is likely a space elevator or similar technology is needed to move masses into space, and we can't yet, and may never, build one.

Edited April 12, 2017 by EdEarl

[Raider5678]

Elon Musk plans to have a system that can send thousands into space every few years.

That will greatly increase the amount of people that can go to space.

BUT.

It will still be far more expensive then most people can afford. And while some people will get to go because of their jobs(i.e. Doctors, engineers, pilots), thousands is still a tiny percentage of billions.

 

Truthfully I don't think most people will ever go to space. Even in the far future. I think most people will stay on what ever planet they're born on, with maybe 1-2% ever venturing into space for one reason or another.