Tucson-based company launches Arizona into space tourism

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PHOENIX – One small step for people, one big leap for Arizona tourism.

Tucson-based air carrier World View officially launched the state’s first space tourism program on Monday.

Ryan Hartman, CEO of the company and a native of Arizona, gave KTAR News 92.3 FM a picture of what the company wants to offer.

“We’re going to give people the opportunity to go to the edge of space in our space capsule,” said Hartman.

“We’ll be over 99.9% of the earth’s atmosphere where you can see the curvature of the earth against the backdrop of the darkness of space.”

With competitors like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic in the tourist space race, World View hopes to focus on four key factors.

“We put a lot of thought into what space tourism is and should be,” said Hartman.

“We came up with four beliefs and those four beliefs are that space tourism is about place, time, affordability and accessibility.”

World View intends to create launch spots at each of the Seven Wonders of the World, with launches beginning in early 2024.

Hartman said World View will offer earthly excursions leading to the Great Ascension.

“The Grand Canyon is a great example,” said Hartman. “We’ll be offering helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon, walking tours of the Grand Canyon, or taking people to the Hopi Nation or Navajo Nation to learn more about the history of the country. Or go to Antelope Canyon or Horseshoe Bend, which will all give you an idea of ​​the fragility but also the beauty of the earth. “

Then the journey will culminate in a final start with tourists ascending 100,000 feet above the earth for a top view.

“When you are at 100,000 feet and you see the curvature of the earth, you see the earth without limits, you see it without race, and you see it as something greater than you,” Hartman mused.

Hartman went on to explain the value of time in space.

“It takes more than minutes to see everything you see, so our space tourism experience lasts six to twelve hours,” said Hartman.

“In that time you can really understand what you are seeing, you can sit in the emotional experience of being up there and see the places that you were immersed in the days before.”

World View CEO said his hope is that this view, previously reserved for the select few, will now be available to many more.

The cost of this space tourism adventure starts at $ 50,000 with funding options available. The ride is designed to have less impact on the body so that elderly passengers and people with physical disabilities can travel comfortably.

“It’s a very smooth flight,” said Hartman. “You ascend to the edge of space in a stratospheric balloon, so when you take off you go at about 12 mph from the time you get to the top of the flight, and then it’s a gentle descent.”

This means you won’t succumb to the power of 6 Gs and the flames of a typical rocket, which makes it more convenient for a larger number of bodies.

The flight will carry eight passengers and two crew members and is expected to take off three to four flights away.

Hartman expects around 3,000 tourists a year, others just come to watch them take off.

You can reserve your place at one of the first lifts and find out more online.

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