By apsmith, Section Commentary Posted on Mon Aug 09, 2004 at 09:29:34 AM PST
In an interesting space review article this morning, Michael Huang argues for a reclassification of "space", away from the traditional "science" or "technology" spheres, to rather make it a regional classification. I had advocated for something like this a while ago under the Open Directory Project. If the poles count as regions, why not outer space as well?
A weekend Reuters article by reporter Michael Belfiore hammers home the point. Bigelow, who we discussed here before, seems absolutely set on launching his space hotels starting in about 2008 (a 1/3 scale model will be launched next year). With 3/4 the volume of the ISS and at a price of $100 million apiece, Bigelow seems intent on producing not just one orbiting station, but on the order of half a dozen at least - perhaps several linked together in one location, or perhaps a number in different regions of orbital space.
The big question is whether tourists will be able to come visit. "We can build it," Bigelow said. "But they may not come." He seems to be hoping for development of the X Prize vehicles to match his schedule for deployment The goal is "to make it possible for "Joe Six-Pack" to vacation in space."
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