Space Tourism Pro and Cons

From our small world we have looked at the celestial ocean for untold thousands of years. Ancient astronomers observed points of light that appeared to move amongst the stars. They named this moving matter, planets, meaning wanderers, and named them after Roman gods.  From that moment the dream to fly was born.  Greek civilizations have passed down ancient tales and legends of flying and a passionate determination to soar Earth’s and outer space beautiful skies. Man’s enthusiasm to aviate is arguably, unrivalled and in this same spirit space tourism currently lives.  This ambition allowed the development of the rocket engine powerful enough to overcome the force of Earth’s gravitational pull to reach orbital speeds that could open space to human exploration.  Space exploration is the natural extension of today's travel industry. Space tourism is a new phenomenon to discover what's beyond our planet. 

Until recently, only astronauts had the luxury of travelling into space but now any one can go if you have the bucks to fund this pricey adventure. You can fly into outer space and watch the Earth from thousands of miles away.  So now we have the option to either travel the world, or travel the outer limits of space. The Space tourism industry has evolved into a topic of interest to many around the world.  This is evident in that, Virgin Galactic sold over 300 seats at $200,000 each for it’s suborbital space tourism flights that were scheduled to begin in 2015 (Seedhouse, 2014). But before we suit up, grab our passports and buy our tickets we should consider the advantages and drawbacks of this life altering experience.  

The first major benefit that I see space tourism bring is it will considerably broaden and enhance our technical awareness as well as our constructive knowledge of what lays beyond Earth’s blue sky in outer space. While the human mind and modern-day technology still need to unravel the mysterious anonymities of space, therefore, we will have to educate ourselves through rigorous work, in order to understand every single aspect, in an effort to become successful in this newly found activity. As a result, this information will confirm and enhance our ideas about outer space. Exploring space may lead us to the discovery of an all-new world (Oak, 2015).

Secondly space exploration by the adventurous tourists will improve the government's profitability. This type of leisurely activity could greatly increase the number of jobs available. This surge in available employment will help to facilitate this extraordinary kind of leisure endeavor. In line with this, space tourism will also contribute to the growth of national revenues (Space tourism, 2013).

On the other hand, Commercial space development hasn't gone perfectly: During SpaceX's third unmanned launch, it had a "serious propulsion malfunction that threatened to cripple their capsule” (Pasztor, 2013).  Separating the level of safety demanded in the system from the unique and hard-earned knowledge that NASA possesses introduces new risks and unique challenges to the normal precepts of public safety and mission responsibility (Pasztor, 2013).

Manned missions to space also pose great risk to the astronauts and tourist who travel to space. So, space exploration jeopardies human life. The stay in a spacecraft is not easy and the conditions are harsh, this makes survival during space travel a major challenge. The effects of radiation on the human body and bone loss resulting from microgravity are some of the health risks during space travel (NSBRI, n.d.). 

Space travels can also be very dangerous because of unidentified surroundings humans must adjust to and live in. The absence of fresh air, food and living matter may cause many problems with health or frame of mind (Matura Explorer Students, 2013). The problem with this we are not capable of predicting how the human body will react in these environmental conditions.
Another drawback to visiting outer space is it may considerably affect humanity and the environment in an undesirable way. The spaceship without a doubt will produce harmful emissions such as huge amount of carbon dioxide. Consequently, this will intensify global warming because carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas that is contributing to recent climate change (EPA, n.d). This will affect both humanity and the environment in the worst way. 

Lastly, space tourism contributes to environmental contamination as well as contributing to the waste of natural resources, such as petrol, diesel and other precious materials. Space air travel is harmful for the environment.  Space tourism produce natural disasters on the earth like hurricanes, floods and so of which are harmful. As a consequence, space travel is hazardous to the environment. We must also remember that what we leave behind in space is called space debris, which leads to space pollution. This debris includes coolant droplets, dust, and non-functional parts of spacecraft’s, old satellites, and other man-made objects that will orbit the Earth. So not only will we pollute Earth with space travel we will also pollute outer space with space travel.  

We associate space research with the possibility of discovering life or precious materials that could be useful to life on Earth. But there is another option that could result from space exploration that could get us in very big trouble. Lethal substances that threatens life on Earth maybe found. Or we may find and disrupt another civilization. Looking at the picture space flights maybe exciting, knowledge filled but they may also be very expensive, dangerous and scary. In closing, there are recognizable advantages that space tourism has to offer, nevertheless, there are also possible disadvantages that should be considered too.

Reference:

The Body in Space. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nsbri.org/DISCOVERIES-FOR-SPACE-and-EARTH/The-Body-in-Space/

EPA.(n.d.). Causes of Climate Change. Retrieved from http://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/science/causes.html

Erik Seedhouse. ( 2014, October 31). Space tourism. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/topic/space-tourism#ref1117971

Matura Explorer Students. (2013, April 22). NO PAIN, NO GAIN, Retrieved from http://petrycy-students.blogspot.com/2013/04/travelling-into-space-tourism-space.html

Oak, M. (2015, April 15). Pros and Cons of Space Exploration. Retrieved December from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-space-exploration.html

Pasztor, A. (2013, March 1). Nerve-Wracking Space Drama Swirls Around Unmanned Cargo Capsule. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323478304578334121188527806

Space tourism: Will it bring positive or negative effects on the world's development? Give your own opinion. Use example based on your experience. (2013, August 11). Retrieved from http://www.testbig.com/ielts-essays/space-tourism-will-it-bring-positive-or-negative-effects-worlds-development-give-your-0

ATC Privatization

The general aviation community has traditionally spoken against ATC privatization because a new air traffic oversight entity, if funded by user fees, would cost them more (Loyd, 2015).  Today, ATC is funded under the gas tax but if privatized it would be a user fee.  General aviation and big corporate corporations are opposed to it because their costs will go way up due to the privatization ATC which would charge you user fees each time an aircraft received air-traffic-control services. 

Delta Air Lines has recently spoken out about privatizing ATC because they oppose the idea of separating air traffic control operations from safety oversight. Steve Dickson, a Delta pilot and senior vice president for flight operations stated that “the current system is safer, more cost-effective, and has fewer delays than any "alternative in the world," said Uprooting the system would result in "organizational disruption, silos between organizations, unforeseen transition costs, and a loss of experts and institutional knowledge," he said. "Air traffic control should remain part of the FAA, with greater focus on continuing NextGen implementation (Loyd, 2015)."  Other Commercial airlines like the idea. They think a new-model FAA would be more nimble and able to carry out much-needed technology upgrades more quickly (Loyd, 2015).

ATC is privatized in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and United Kingdom.  The National Air Transportation Association states that Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom ATC systems are not comparable to the U.S. system.  Due to the fact that the international air traffic control systems are much smaller and less complex than the United States (Smith, 2015).  After the foreign governments implemented ATC privatization airlines were found to be equally safe after the air traffic control transition. The main difference that occurred as a result of ATC privatization was that it could sustain itself financially.  

If the U.S. were to privatize ATC control if would first have to be approved by Congress.  Congress would have to create a law that removes ATC oversight from the FAA in order to privatize.  

I don’t think that the current ATC system would be more efficient if it was privatized.  The main purpose of ATC is to ensure safety among air travel carriers and users not profit.   Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., states that “One reason for privatizing is to separate air-traffic control from the FAA's regulatory duties making sure planes and pilots are safe to fly (Jansen, 2015).”  Now is this the real reason?  I think it all about the money, if ATC is privatized they will generate their own money stream and will not have to rely on the government to reauthorize funding.  This is a bad idea because corporations focus main on profits then safety every time. 

 

Reference:

Jansen, B. (2015, June 15). House transportation chairman: Privatize air-traffic control. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/06/15/faa-air-traffic-control-rep-shuster-privatization-aero-club/71244404/

Loyd, L. (2015, September 28). Should air traffic controllers be privatized? Retrieved from http://articles.philly.com/2015-09-28/business/66932623_1_air-traffic-organization-national-airspace-system-the-faa

Smith, E. (2015, September 21). Air Traffic Control Privatization Chatter Flies Again. Retrieved from http://associationsnow.com/2015/09/air-traffic-control-privatization-chatter-flies/

 

FAA GA Medical Reform

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) jointly petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expand the third class medical exemption to cover more pilots and aircraft (Tennyson, 2014). The AOPA and the EAA are trying to get a ruling passed that allows Private Pilot Privileges who fly recreationally without a Medical Certificate. This reform would “would protect GA pilots from liability on charitable flights, extend legal protections to FAA representatives, and require FAA contractors to provide information under Freedom of Information Act requests” (Tennyson, 2015).  In 2012 the FAA failed to respond to the AOPA/EAA petition, which caused congress to step in and propose their own ruling on the GA medical reform.  

Currently the reform is a bill, “Second Pilot’s Bill Of Rights” (S. 571), (H.R. 1062), which is sponsored by the Senate and the House of Representatives (EAA, 2015).    The Senate and the House of Representatives committees are currently reviewing and amending the bill, which after approved by both will get passed or vetoed by the President.   

The idea that anyone with a valid drivers license can fly an aircraft without obtaining a medical certification seem a little risky.  One good thing that would come from this reform would be that more people would be allowed to exercise Private Pilot Privileges.  This would include anyone that has had a third class medical in the last 10 years who may have lost it for some reason can now fly again (Thurber, 2014).  This is good for the industry but I do not believe it is good for the public.  Some people may not have a medical certification for a reason; they may no longer be mentally for physically fit to anymore but now this bill will allow them to again.  This bill will also other risky behaviors such as pilot’s indulging in drug and other banned substances because now they are not required to have medical they are now not required to submitted to drug testing.  This seems to be the perfect prescription for more aviation accidents. 

I do not know if the current general aviation medical should be reformed.  In some ways I think it should be because so many people are unable to get aviation medical.  I feel that this would help this industry thrive.  But on the other hand I think this introduces more potential for accidents due to reckless behaviors and people exercising Private Pilot Privileges that should not be allowed to exercise any flying privileges.  

Reference:

Second Pilot's Bill Of Rights Pushes Long-Awaited Aeromedical Reform Forward | EAA. (2015, February 26). Retrieved from https://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/eaa-news-and-aviation-news/2015-news/02-26-2015-second-pilots-bill-of-rights-pushes-long-awaited-aeromedical-reform-forward

Tennyson, E. (2015, February 26). Medical reform legislation introduced in House, Senate. Retrieved from http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2015/February/26/Medical-reform-legislation-introduced-in-House-and-Senate

Tennyson, E. (2014, April 2). FAA announces rulemaking on third class medical. Retrieved from http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/April/02/FAA-announces-rulemaking-on-third-class-medical

Thurber, M. (2014, December 3). Proposed Rule for Third-class Medical Relief in Limbo. Retrieved from http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2014-12-03/proposed-rule-third-class-medical-relief-limbo

Chinese Airboeing

China is one of the biggest aviation markets in the world but they solely rely on Boeing and Airbus to supply them with aircraft. China is yet again trying to manufacture aircraft's.  In 1980 China attempted this same idea but failed.  Now China’s multibillion-dollar effort to create the homegrown C919 jetliner is intended to reduce some of China’s needs to rely on foreign commercial aircraft manufactures like Boeing and Airbus. 

I want to say that the COMAC C919 will not get FAA certification, but I know maybe not today or tomorrow but they will eventually.  COMAC will eventually get their FAA certification for their aircrafts because at some point in time it will be hard for the FAA to deny or delay certification based on performance, design, or any other component they can think of. Because at that time COMAC would have evolved and corrected any problems the FAA had with their aircraft. 

   

If the C919 receives FAA certification, Boeing and Airbus may have a problem because COMAC intents to sale their aircraft at a lower price then Boeing and Airbus. But also if the FAA certification is given to COMAC and its aircraft it will boost their reputation, which they need to sale their aircrafts in the U.S. and cleared the way for the plane to be sold and operated globally - though expectations for foreign sales had been low (Govindasamy and Miller, 2015). Without the FAA, COMAC aircrafts can operate only in China and some Asian, African and South American countries that recognize the CAAC's certificate (Govindasamy and Miller, 2015).  If the C919 were to receive FAA certification I do believe that other company would try to manufacture aircrafts but they will not last long.

COMAC, Which stands for Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ldtd. is a Chinese state-owned aerospace manufacturer that is jointly established by Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Aluminum Corporation of China, Baosteel Group Corporation, Sinochem Group, Shanghai Guosheng Corporation Limited, and State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (english.comac.cc).

The C919, a twin-engine, narrow-body aircraft seating up to 168 passengers, which is similar in size to the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737 series of jets (Bloomberg News, 2015). The C919 will have a flying range around 3,451 miles, it is designed to compete head-to-head with its Airbus and Boeing rivals, and said to easily cover popular business and leisure routes from China such as Shanghai to Singapore and Beijing to Bangkok (Jiang, 2015).

Another state-owned company in China is developing a smaller regional jet, called the Advanced Regional Jet for the 21st Century or the ARJ-21. The ARJ-21-700 will seat 90 passengers in an all-economy cabin arrangement. The ARJ-21-900 is intended to seat 115 passengers. The ARJ-21 will compete with the Embraer produced by Brazil and Bombardier produced by Canada.  COMAC also has future plans to build a C929 and C939, which are wide-body aircraft's that will have a seating capacity of approximately 300 and 400.

Boeing and Airbus seems to be very quiet, I was unable to find anything on their response to the unveiling of the Chinese c919. 

References 

Govindasamy, S., & Miller, M. (2015, October 21). Exclusive: China-made regional jet set for delivery, but no U.S. certification. Retrieved from http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/21/us-china-aircraft-arj21-exclusive-idUSKCN0SF2XN20151021

C919_Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://english.comac.cc/products/ca/

Jiang, S. (2015, November 2). China takes on Boeing, Airbus with new passenger jet - CNN.com. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/asia/china-new-c919-passenger-jet/index.html