A few decades back, travelling to space was reserved for the top scientists in astronomy. For other people, it was almost impossible to imagine space tourism and such experiences were only available in films. However, things changed in 2001 when Dennis Tito became the first space tourist. Although Dennis and the other pioneer space tourists had to pay a lot of money, the cost is coming down fast, and experts agree that space travelling has a very bright future.
Now, companies such as SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, among others, are developing advanced space vehicles to make the experience more enthralling. So, what thrill would you want when travelling to space? Are you looking forward to experiencing weightlessness? It is an unforgettable experience, but the most enjoyable of all is spacewalking. Let’s take a closer look and answer the big question, “Can you spacewalk?”
What is Spacewalking?
Also referred to as extravehicular activity, spacewalking means walking when in space. It is the complete opposite of the standard walking on the surface of the earth, where the feet must be firm on the ground. A person is considered to be spacewalking after stepping outside the space vehicle and making a few steps.
Alexei Leonov, a space explorer, was the first to walk in space back in 1965. He only walked for a short moment of 10 minutes, but later astronauts such as Chris Hadfield and Saint-Jacques David, spacewalked for longer periods. The experience is really unforgettable and almost every space tourist wants to experience it.
Spacewalking: Is it Safe?
Although you want to spacewalk so much, the biggest question to ask is, “is the activity safe?” we must say that spacewalking is a risky undertaking. The main reason for this is that stepping out of the space travel vehicle exposes you to outer space’s risks, such as cosmic radiation and limited oxygen.
The good thing about space travelling is that the involved companies are working on overcoming all challenges on the way. For example, astronauts use pressurised equipment strong enough to prevent exposure to cosmic radiation. They also carry oxygen tanks for air supply. When the equipment will finally be made available for use by space travellers, spacewalking is expected to become more common and enjoyable.
Which Space Tourism Company Offers Spacewalking?
The growing demand for spacewalking is making companies in space tourism work extra hard to make the activity available. However, overcoming the risks associated with spacewalking and buying protective equipment can make the excursion more expensive than it is today. Because the travel companies are working on pulling the cost down, they are shying away from offering spacewalking activities.
Again, the training needed for tourists to use the spacewalking equipment would add to the complexities and costs that companies are trying to avoid. So, if you really want to spacewalk, the truth is that it is likely to take a little longer. No company is ready to offer spacewalking yet!
With new companies venturing into space tourism every year, more fun and learning activities are expected to be available for travellers. According to Andrey Bokarev, the current space tourism research is expected to make different activities, including spacewalking, safer and more enjoyable.
