Spaceport in Singapore to provide suborbital spaceflights

A spaceport in Singapore is offering sub-orbital space flights, astronaut training facilities and a public education and interactive visitor center, in addition to astronaut food.

27 February 2006

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT

Spaceport Singapore, the $115 million (USD) integrated spaceport that will be developed near Changi Airport, Singapore is a US-based space tourism company announced by Space Adventures. Space Adventures is also the only company in the world to have sent citizens into space. Setting its sights on space tourism, Eric Anderson, President and CEO, Space Adventures has said, according to a DNA report, "Countries around the world are only just realising the enormous commercial possibilities of space tourism. The market potential for suborbital spaceflights alone is estimated at US$1billion annually."

The estimate target for a functional spaceport is 2009. Each flight is likely to cost US$100,000. It will be targeting wealthy and adventurous Asians. The company is being strongly supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

The focus for the proposed Spaceport Singapore will be suborbital flights. 'Explorer,' a suborbital space transportation system, consisting of a flight-operational carrier aircraft, the M-55X and a rocket spacecraft, will be transporting five persons into space, at a maximum altitude of 100 km. The experience will include five minutes of continuous weightlessness, and provide a view of the continuous blackness of space against Earth's horizon.

The company has made assurances that the highest degree of safety will be maintained.

Additionally, astronaut training facilities are also available, including a wide range of space and high altitude experiences. Parabolic flights that allow passengers to experience weightlessness, G-force training in a centrifuge, and stimulated space walks in a neutral buoyancy tank, are some of the facilities that give a taste of an astronaut's life. Various jet aircraft, flight simulators and interactive exhibit experiences are also made possible. These
facilities may cost up to US$4,000 per person.

According to an official, "Students can even participate in a special multi-day space camp that will inspire the next generation of scientists."

Earlier, the company had considered locations in Malaysia and Japan for the spaceport. Singapore had been selected as it is well connected to other cities. The company is expecting up to 500,000 visitors every year, which will mean US$1.7 billion in economic gains for Singapore over 10 years. This will be one of three planned spaceports the company plans to set up across the globe.