Space tourism
is much closer than you may think.
The International Space Station
will soon retire from its successful
run through low Earth orbit.
But humanity's next home in space
is already preparing to launch.
In the past two decades,
the International Space Station
has hosted over 250 astronauts
from all around the world.
The ISS is used as a research facility
in low Earth orbit.
There, scientists study anything
from microgravity
to new medical techniques.
Their research is what's fueling
our future interplanetary travel.
But as with all good things,
the ISS won't last forever.
t's already experiencing air leaks
and other system failures.
But when the time comes
to put it out of commission in 2030,
the door to space will be wide open
for the next wave of explorers.
This brings us to the current quest
to develop humanity's next-generation
space modules.
If you want a glimpse,
a new exhibit
in Dubai’s Museum of the Future
provides a look at the next stage
of low Earth orbital concepts.
Think you need to be an astronaut
to go to space?
Well, I've got news for you.
Private companies are now stepping in
to launch multiple space stations
into orbit within the next decade.
And soon, space tourism
will be so readily available,
you might be able to see
our big blue marble of a home planet
with your own eyes.
That is, if you have the money.
Because private companies
have stepped in
to cover some of the space bills,
agencies like NASA can focus on
getting us to Mars
and pushing the
ongoing exploratory missions
beyond our planetary neighborhood.
For you, that means
a new era of space travel
is right around the corner.
And you've got some options
to get there a little cheaper.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft are already
transporting astronauts to the ISS.
So far it's saved NASA
as much as $30 billion.
Still, a window seat for an astronaut
still costs around $50 million,
so maybe don't stop saving just yet.
Jeff Bezos' company, Blue Origin,
has designed their own
low Earth orbit space station, Orbital Reef.
You'll notice that the station will feature
the usual research labs
but you could also use
their onboard 3D printers
and do some gardening off-Earth.
I don't know about you
but my top priority in space
would be premium printing services.
All the best hotels have that, right?
Well, Axiom Space is already
building modules for the ISS,
including a space hotel.
It will attach to the ISS
while it's still operational.
Then, this galactic hotel
will live as its own space station.
You could look out its massive windows
overlooking Earth
and use its large entertainment systems.
If you want to start a business in orbit,
Axiom will custom-build a module
for any manufacturing you may want to do.
You could even make new modules.
That's quite a rental unit.
Or maybe you're looking for something
with more Moon base potential.
Sierra Space has examples
of inflatable living areas
called LIFE habitats,
Large Integrated Flexible Environment,
which include crew quarters,
closets and, more importantly,
better bathrooms.
The idea is to use these
as free-floating space stations
that you could one day land on the Moon.
It would include
a rocket launch pad to get home
and even a nuclear power plant.
Think of this as a galactic pit stop
on your way to Mars.
So can you picture what it's like
to be on one of those space stations yet?
If you don't want to wait for years
or shell out that kind of cash,
you're in luck.
That’s what the OSS Hope space station is for,
and it's right here on Earth
at Dubai's Museum of the Future.
You'll see replicas of space shuttles
and learn about the cool
futuristic capabilities
that are currently underway
above our atmosphere.
You could learn about how
photovoltaic cells on the Moon are used
to beam microwave energy back to Earth.
Or go and learn about the missions
space pioneers will soon take on.
Of course, you can always
gaze right back at our Earth
without having to experience the G forces
to get there
or the bills of space hotel room service.
The Museum of the Future
features much more
than space exploration.
Here, you can learn what awaits you
down on Earth too.
From Tomorrow Today,
where you can see the prototypes
of exciting new technologies
that will improve our ways
of living on this planet,
to Future Heroes,
where the youngest visitors will discover
their future selves through fun activities.
Al Waha level will teach you
to enjoy life without technology
and reconnect with your inner self.
And finally, Vault of Life,
where you could understand nature
in the rainforest ecosystem simulator.
This is a place where you can
glimpse into the future,
touch the future
and shape the future yourself.
And if you’re a space enthusiast
willing to brush shoulders
with some of the world's
best space-minded entrepreneurs,
the Museum of the Future
plans to be an incubator
to collaborate and innovate
on low Earth orbit habitats and beyond.
And who knows?
Maybe we'll start building a superstructure
in space sooner than we expect.
How about a Dyson sphere
around the Sun?
But that's a story for another WHAT IF.