[SatNews] Space projects and organizations such as Excalibur, Galactic Suite, Bigelow’s Space Complex Alpha and Russian Orbital Technologies plans have created increasing interest in orbital space tourism, and with that, a need for new data and research.

The International Institute of Space Commerce (IISC) has responded to industry need and released its findings in a new study titled “Orbital Space Tourism Market Revisited 2011”. In recent years, excellent research has focused on suborbital demand, but few detailed studies have been available on actual market demand for orbital personal spaceflight. Additionally, the considerable change in the financial landscape since 2008 highlighted the need for up-to-date data on the demand for personal space travel, given the impact on wealthy individuals and cash availability for space tourism. IISC ± in close cooperation with ISU — initiated a new study which was based upon previous evaluations with fitting amendment factors as considered relevant.

The study evaluates the price elasticity in a price range of 5 to 20 million dollars per flight and considered the potential market for the period 2012-2022. In terms of such price elasticity, a considerable effect was noted in particular in the zone between 15 and 10 million dollars in terms of potential customers. The study results can be obtained in electronic form on the IISC website at http://www.iisc.im/news.asp?article=555. Further information and a sample of the contents of Orbital Space Tourism Market Revisited 2011 can be obtained from http://bit.ly/gnx3C2.