Posted June 4, 2001
Dennis Tito's recent sojourn to the International Space Station has focused attention on space tourism - and the possibility of sending ordinary people into space. Tony Webb, founder of eSpaceTickets.com, has a vision of making spaceflight available to more than the "chosen few," and speaks to Jennifer Laing about his initiative for celebrating World Space Week 2001 and dream of making civilian space travel a reality.
Dennis Tito, upon his return from the International Space Station, was quoted as saying, "I hope that NASA realizes that this is beneficial [for the space program] and that a qualified civilian should be allowed to fly." Tony Webb, founder of eSpaceTickets.com, agrees "100%" with Tito's stance.
"For years, people have said reach for the stars. Yet only the chosen few get to go. What Dennis Tito has accomplished is a Giant Step for Space Tourism. For ordinary people to at least have the slightest opportunity [for space travel] is better than no opportunity at all. I wanted to create a global program that would truthfully provide every person in the world over age 18 with that slightest opportunity to journey to the edge of space, and hopefully on a sub-orbital space flight."
The concept behind eSpaceTickets.com, established by the aptly-named Webb in April 2000, is for people ("affiliates") to read email sent by merchants or businesses, and receive 'eSpaceTickets' in return, allowing them to be in the draw for the "future edge of space flight." Webb explains:
"For instance, if you were interested in camping and wanted to buy a backpack, we would send you an email about the special offering for camping gear [from] the merchant. The affiliate would receive 5 eSpaceTickets for reading the email and to visit the camping-related web site. Anybody over age 18 can be an affiliate, without any charge."
Prizes offered for lucky eSpaceTicket holders are a space buff's dream. According to the eSpaceTickets.com Web site, "Every surfer over age18 has an opportunity to win a flight to the edge of space in a Russian MiG-25 Foxbat simply by reading e-mail. For e-commerce consumers we also offer a journey to 63 miles above Earth in a sub-orbital space craft." Says Webb, "The more eSpaceTickets they receive, the better odds they will have to win the trip to Moscow and fly in the Russian MiG-25 Foxbat to the edge of space." For the suborbital flight, Webb supports using the Virginia- based aerospace company Vela Technologies, who plan to launch commercial flight services to space in December 2003. Revenue raised from e-commerce sites in Europe and Australia will be provided to Bristol Spaceplanes, based in the U.K.. "I also wanted to support a European aerospace company." The Ascender vehicle Bristol Spaceplanes are developing is essentially a small sub-orbital "spaceplane" intended for use as a reusable launch vehicle, and for taking people on "space experience flights."
Drawings for the Russian "edge of space" flight are planned to take place before and during World Space Week 2001 (October 4, 2001, to October 10, 2001), while the eSpaceTickets Buyers Club prize will be drawn during World Space Week 2005. Webb hopes that a special guest will draw the winning ticket, and nominates Apollo astronaut Buzz Aldrin, space tourist Dennis Tito or Apollo 13 movie star Tom Hanks as people he would like to approach for this task.
Aldrin, a vocal advocate of space tourism, has been an inspiration to Webb since he was young. "[I attended] the same school that [he] attended when he was a child." Webb believes that, "People should listen to what Buzz Aldrin has to say about space tourism."
"We all know that the ordinary 'Joe six pack', as Buzz Aldrin says, cannot afford the trip, but the eSpaceTickets program provides a glimmer of hope, and brings a unified global program to the table."
Webb is convinced of the long-term benefits to mankind that can accrue from opening up space to ordinary citizens. "Space tourism can represent a 60 billion dollar a year industry." He also sees it as a way of "bringing the world together . . . through a united effort," and "for a common cause." Webb came up with the idea of eSpaceTickets.com while "watching the Discovery Channel. There was a TV show about space tourism. They stated that funding was a problem, that the private aerospace companies were having funding problems." Webb also found that "investors just laughed at me," but saw "opening the space tourism door" as a challenge, to which he brought his experience in telecommunications, software and tourism, "applying technology in an innovative way."
Particularly keen to inspire young people to "reach for the stars," Webb is running a Web site design competition for high school students, in conjunction with World Space Week 2001. World Space Week, to be held each year between October 4 and October 10, has as its primary goal, according to a United Nations Declaration, to increase "awareness among decision makers and civil society of the benefits of the peaceful uses of space sciences and technology for sustainable development." This year's theme is 'Inspiration from Space', a philosophy close to Webb's heart. "For young people of the world to be inspired and honestly believe that space travel will be part of their future is what World Space Week 2001 is all about."
Entries for the Web site contest should be submitted to webmaster@eSpaceTickets.com by Sept 4, 2001, be 1-3 web pages long, and "describe and illustrate reasons and ways to celebrate World Space Week 2001." Says Webb, "The theme of the contest is future travel into the universe through the peaceful cooperation of all nations. It's intended to raise awareness of the United Nations' activities and future plans regarding space travel, and will disseminate knowledge and awareness to students around the world. This will help to encourage the involvement of all people in cooperative space exploration." All entries must include the approval of the student's counsellor, science teacher or computer teacher, and an 8-inch telescope will be provided to the high school for their complete participation.
"The thrill of adventure is what inspires young people, and the greatest journey one could ever make would be to journey into space." Webb looks forward to the day that we "see humans walk and live on Mars, and then on to other planets." He also wouldn't mind venturing into space himself one day, and, if he does, would like to be in the company of fellow space devotee Tom Hanks ("who also would like to make the journey.") Says Webb, "Dennis Tito has [made it a] reality that space tourism will be part of the next generation."
Jennifer Laing is a freelance space writer from Melbourne, Australia.