I was thumbing thru that book today at B&N. I highly reccomend it to
anyone that thinks space tourism is not serious.

Bert

--- In space-architecture@yahoogroups.com, "Mark Reiff"
<markreiff@y...> wrote:
>
> From John Spencer:
>
> : Space Tourism - Do You Want To Go?
>
> : By John Spencer with Karen L. Rugg
> : Foreword by Astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander, Rick Searfoss
> : An Apogee Book Publication - http://www.cgpublishing.com/tourism.htm
>
> : Book SYNOPSIS
>
> : Welcome Aboard!
>
> : Since the early 1980s a small group of visionaries have been
> : pioneering the frontier of off-world tourism. Overcoming
> : significant obstacles, their quest to start the space tourism
> : industry was achieved on April 28, 2001, when American businessman
> : Dennis Tito lifted-off from Russia into Earth orbit for a
> : week-long voyage aboard the International Space Station. He was the
> : first space tourist. Upon boarding the Station he said "I love
> : space." He paid millions of his own dollars to fulfill his life-
> : long quest to experience space. Since then another space tourist
> : has flown, and many more are lining up for the opportunity.
>
> : Several private enterprise space tourism companies have recently
> : been formed, some by multibillionaires including the co-founder of
> : Microsoft, Paul Allen, the founder of Virgin Airlines, Sir Richard
> : Branson, and the founder of Amazon.com, Jeff Bezos. They are
> : spending millions of dollars of their own money. Why? Because they
> : are positioning themselves to be leaders -- the Walt Disney and
> : Baron Hilton of the space tourism industry; an industry destined to
> : be the largest, most prestigious, and profitable industry off-world.
>
> : Millions of people from around the world want to go into Earth
> : orbit to have that life-changing experience. To free float in zero
> : gravity, to see the Earth, the Moon, and the stars from space. In
> : the year 2004, less than 500 individuals have had the privilege of
> : going off-world. But that number will significantly grow as private
> : enterprise designs and builds the fleets of orbital access
> : vehicles, orbital super yachts, and space and lunar cruise ships
> : with names such as "Orbital Ecstasy," "Ambrosia," or "Lady of the
> : Stars," which will eventually serve tens of thousands, then
> : hundreds of thousands of space tourist. Many of those going will
> : have won international lotteries for their dream vacation.
>
> : In the future, space passengers will float and dance in zero
> : gravity, swim in spheres of warm colored water, enjoy games,
> : saunas, exercise, massage, shopping and world class entertainment.
> : They can try zero gravity hair styles, wear the latest in cruise
> : fashions body paint and accessories. Participate in orbital
> : sports, space walks, (floats) the finest dining and of course, make
> : love in the privacy of their orbital cruise cabin. The Moon will
> : play host to lunar resorts, health spas, and low gravity sports
> : stadiums. The world will be thrilled as powerful racing yachts
> : named "Challenger," "Intrepid," and "Quasar" compete in half
> : million mile long space regattas around the Moon and back to Earth
> : to win the coveted "Solar System Cup."
>
> : Today millions of people have space tourism themed experiences
> : spending well over a billion dollar a year flying in aircraft which
> : produce zero gravity experiences, visiting NASA centers, space
> : camps, space theme parks and attractions, space museum's, IMAX
> : films, planetarium's and observatories, going on astronomy cruises,
> : purchasing books, media, and space merchandise. This Earth based
> : space tourism industry will have massive growth over the next
> : decade as a whole new generation of totally immersive multi-day
> : space, lunar, and Mars themed simulation ventures open to the
> : public. For the price of a normal vacation people can become
> : "Simnauts" and participate in futuristic space tourism vacations,
> : adventures, and real research in the emerging "SimExperiences"
> : industry.
>
> : This is the first book published in the United States on the space
> : tourism theme. It was written and designed by one of the world's
> : leading authorities and pioneers in the growing field of space
> : tourism, space architect, John Spencer. Founder and president of
> : the Space Tourism Society, (STS) www.spacetourismsociety.org . In
> : it he premieres his vision, the "Destiny" orbital super yacht
> : design and master development industry plan for expanding the space
> : tourism movement and creating the long-term space tourism industry.
> : His plan offers opportunities for non-rocket scientists to
> : participate today, to make a difference, and to have a wonderful
> : time in the process.
>
> : You can reach John at:
> : 3153 Purdue Avenue
> : Los Angeles, CA 90066
> : Tele: 310-313-6835
> : Fax: 310-313-0166
> : e-mail: jssdesign@a...
> : www.RedPlanetVentures.com
>
> : You now can order this book on Amazon.com.
>
> : The book title: Space Tourism - Do You Want to Go?
>
> : Once you are on the Amazon.com site put in space tourism for a
> : search. It is the first book. You will receive it in about a week.
>
> : Please pass this info. on to friends and associates interested in
> : space/future tourism.