Space travel has always been considered expensive, dangerous and exclusive. Since Yuri Gagarin's first space flight 63 years ago, fewer than 700 astronauts have reached space, mostly from just three countries. Even commercial space flights have been accessible only to the wealthy few. But that's changing. The Space Exploration and Research Authority (SERA) has partnered with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to create a spaceflight program for citizens of all countries. The initiative aims to make space travel accessible to the general public.
Space travel for everyone
Historically, space travel has been the domain of a select few, but SERA and Blue Origin are looking to change that. According to a TOI report, SERA, co-founded by Sam Hutchison and Joshua Scurra, will foot the bill for these space flights. Known for his spaceflight innovation, the partnership with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin marks a big step towards democratizing space travel.
First steps towards inclusion
In June 2022, SERA made headlines by sending Victor Hespanha, a 28-year-old civil engineer from Brazil, into space on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket (NS-21). The mission was a success, heralding a new era: SERA purchased a seat from Blue Origin for Hespanha, and the achievement paved the way for a broader partnership with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to focus on a new human spaceflight program.
Global Mission
SERA's vision is truly global. The company has already booked six seats for Blue Origin's New Shepard launch. Sukurla emphasises that New Shepard is a great tool to introduce space travel to people who previously viewed it as an unreachable dream. As reported by TOI, the next mission is likely to involve astronauts from India, a country with strong space activities and infrastructure.
India's potential role
Skurla and Hutchison see great potential in partnering with India. They believe India can play a leadership role in this new era of space exploration. Hutchison emphasized that more than 150 countries have never produced astronauts, and SERA aims to change that by allowing Indian society and others to vote for astronauts.
Democratizing space travel
The first phase of this effort will select citizen astronauts through a community vote. Five seats on the New Shepard rocket will be given to partner nations that have never sent astronauts or have few astronauts in space. The sixth seat will be open to any individual from any country. This approach allows the community to actively participate in space missions.
Beyond space flight
SERA's ambitions go beyond just sending private citizens into space. Their long-term goal is to provide a platform for global collaboration in space research, technology development, and the creation of new space startups. SERA will provide program management tools, risk assessments, and budgeting resources traditionally used by large aerospace organizations. The initiative aims to foster global collaboration in space missions, with SERA covering the initial costs.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and SERA are ushering in a new era of space exploration. By making space travel accessible to the masses, they are breaking down barriers that have long limited who can explore our final frontier. With these efforts, the dream of spaceflight is no longer just for billionaires, but is within the reach of ordinary people.
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