When billionaire Richard Branson traveled to space in July this year, he claimed to fulfill one of his childhood’s biggest dreams. A dream which he shares with so many kids and adults out there. When news of Branson’s space travel went viral, the burning question followed: when will space tourism happen for regular people?
Reality Television
Reality shows have dominated television for decades. This buzz about space tourism has become louder that Discovery Channel is now reported to be considering a new venue for a reality TV show: space. The inside of a house or an obstacle course amid a desert no longer makes for good reality TV, space is indeed the new frontier.
Discovery Channel
Producers from the cable channel are mulling a show called “Who Wants to Be an Astronaut” and are looking to use the International Space Station for its location. The gist of the show would be to send its viewers to space and tour the insides of the ISS. They will award a regular person a space flight costing millions of dollars as the grand prize.
The show will take in contestants who will be given the chance to a one-of-a-kind experience. The winner will get an all-expenses-paid trip to come to the ISS and stay there for eight days. The show’s run will have the same patterns as the typical reality TV show we all know.
Extreme challenges are on the drawing board, but no details yet of what these will be. Overall, these challenges will determine who among the contestants are space tourism worthy. They will have to show that they have what it takes to be “a real astronaut.”
Axiom Space, which is based in Houston, will provide the winner the passage to space. NASA hasn’t yet confirmed if the space broker will be able to guarantee a seat on a commercial rocket trip. However, Discovery has proven its confidence in its plans as it has gotten former astronaut Mike Massimino as a consultant.
Mike Massimino
A veteran of space filming, Mike Massimino has contributed footage to the Hubble documentary in 2009 for the Hubble telescope. He did it while on a repair mission and used IMAX cameras to give viewers an in-depth look at how repairs are done inside the ISS.
The former astronaut is hoping to have more film crews trained for space filming. He also expressed dismay that it can’t be possible as of this time yet. He asserted that a film crew with 50 people is not likely as the ISS is not yet ready for big cameras and other equipment.
Space Hero
Discovery Channel isn’t the only one thinking of creating a show about space tourism. British and German creators Deborah Sass and Thomas Reemer have announced plans for their show entitled “Space Hero.” While “Who Wants to Be an Astronaut” will be based in the US, Space Hero will gather 24 contestants worldwide.
Twelve men and twelve women from twelve developed and twelve underdeveloped countries will vie for the chance to live in Space Village, similar to Big Brother’s house. It will have all the regular reality show ingredients, such as challenges and voting.
Regulatory Hurdles: Why Regular People Won’t Go to Space Just Yet
NASA administrator and former senator Bill Nelson wants the use of the ISS expanded not only for science but also for entertainment. However, regulatory hurdles are preventing space tourism from happening just yet. It is possible but with difficulties, according to NASA guidelines.
Discovery Channel is currently accepting applicants for their show via their online portal. Space Hero will accept applications starting December 21st, 2021.
