SpaceX, one of the most innovative space companies of 2021, launched its first civilian crew, Inspiration4, into orbit in September. Netflix livestreamed the launch as part of a docuseries documenting the mission.
Founded in 2002, SpaceX has aimed to revolutionise space technology, and over the past 20 years, it has brought space tourism closer to reality. In 2010, the company announced plans to send tourists on a free-return trajectory around the Moon. NASA also opened the International Space Station to visitors in 2019, signalling a shift towards commercial access to space.
However, the rise of private space travel has sparked concerns about environmental impact, consumer safety and the relationship between private companies and the public. As environmentalist Jim Chapman notes, "people love space, they love the hype and glamour of rockets around here, but everything has a price".
Conflict and controversy around space travel
Private space exploration has a history marked by more failures than successes. Only 60 per cent of NASA's lunar missions over the past 60 years have succeeded, according to the agency's Moon Fact Sheet. Aganaba, from the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, does not foresee space tourism becoming a mass-market industry, believing a single disaster could destabilise the entire sector.
NASA's response to tragedy illustrates the risks. After the 2003 Columbia shuttle accident, which killed 7 astronauts, the agency used the event to learn and adapt, making further enhancements to improve passenger safety. Critics, including former US Labour Secretary Robert Reich, argue that the vast sums invested in space technology could instead be used to address urgent issues on Earth, such as wildfires, heatwaves and climate-related disasters.
The space industry today
Despite the COVID pandemic reducing global travel, the space industry grew at a record rate in 2020. Investors poured almost $9 billion into private space companies. Many of these companies provide services or components to government agencies such as NASA and rely on the high demand generated by investors in space tourism.
The Inspiration4 crew included billionaire Jared Isaacman, who funded the trip; a childhood cancer survivor; a geologist; and a raffle winner. Their seats were part of a fundraising effort that raised $200 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Other private citizens have also entered the space tourism market.
Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is scheduled to fly on a Russian Soyuz rocket, and Tom Cruise has discussed filming a movie on the ISS. These examples show that private trips to space currently appeal only to extremely wealthy individuals. SpaceX claims Inspiration4 is just the beginning, with Isaacman saying the company aims to reduce the cost of spaceflight and make it more accessible.
Environmental effects
One of the biggest concerns about rocket launches is their environmental impact. Rockets are more than 95 per cent fuel and require large quantities of propellants. Launches emit carbon dioxide, water, chlorine and other chemicals into the atmosphere. In 2020, 114 orbital launch attempts occurred worldwide, compared with more than 100,000 daily flights in the airline industry. Although rockets currently produce far fewer emissions overall, their emissions are increasing nearly 5.6 per cent each year.
A market report estimates that the global suborbital transportation and space tourism market will reach $2.5 billion in 2031, growing 17.15 per cent annually. As space tourism expands, emissions will rise. A long-haul flight emits between 1 and 3 tonnes of carbon dioxide per passenger, compared with 200 to 300 tonnes for a single rocket launch. As demand grows, the environmental pressure will intensify.
The rocket launching site dilemma
Establishing and expanding launch sites has created conflict. In 2013, US state legislators passed a Bill giving SpaceX the right to close Boca Chica beach during testing and launches. Activity increased significantly when rocket testing began in 2019. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact on local wildlife and protected habitats. The Texas Environmental Group warns that the site threatens vulnerable species, and the area is surrounded by state and federally protected lands.
Bryan Bird of Defenders of Wildlife criticised both Musk's choice of location and the federal government's approval of the project, saying Musk is "building a space complex in one of the most environmentally diverse, and inappropriate, places in the world". Snowy plovers have already been affected, with only two pairs discovered this year compared to a dozen previously. Without protection, these species face potential extinction.
International rules currently govern rocket fuel types, making environmental protection difficult. Political ambition often overrides environmental policy, meaning corporations are not solely responsible for environmental harm. The lack of regulation around rocket emissions will continue to cause conflict between space companies and environmentalists. SpaceX's reusable Falcon 9 and Starship rockets reduce costs and increase off-Earth travel, but each launch still contributes to environmental degradation.
A sustainable future for space travel
As space tourism grows, companies such as SpaceX and NASA must prioritise sustainability. Other companies, including Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, are following SpaceX's model. Sustainable fuels are essential for greener space travel. One promising option is liquid hydrogen and oxygen, which Blue Origin's New Shepard propulsion module uses. Reusable rocket engines are also being developed to make space travel more affordable and environmentally responsible.
Although environmental challenges are inevitable, progress is being made. Recycling, technological innovation and sustainable engineering will help balance profit, ethics and environmental protection. If private companies meet their late-2021 and 2022 launch timelines, investor and potential passenger interest will continue to grow. From a business perspective, space travel's opportunities may outweigh its limitations, but long-term sustainability will determine the industry's future.
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