Technology Intelligence Map: Space Tourism

Since the Apollo 11 launch to the moon in 1969, there have been numerous space missions. However, this space travel has always been conducted by NASA alone or NASA in collaboration with the US military and other country’s space agencies. Now, through research and development, private companies like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX are racing to fulfill the dreams of many, by proposing to take civilian customers on space excursions. But space tourism is in its infancy. This chapter looks at seven technologies that are necessary for space tourism to succeed; the vessel, fuel, navigation, health and safety technology, physics, communication systems, orbit control systems, and sensors, examining each through a literature review. Our seven key technologies are then examined using a technology forecasting technique – patent analysis – to reveal their growth curve. Our study shows that the last of the technology necessary to support safe space tourism will not reach maturity for another century.