Astronaut predicts space travel could become like commercial flights in future

AN astronaut who took part in space shuttle Discovery’s final flight has predicted a major expansion of space tourism over the next 50 years.

Eric Boe said it was an “exciting” time for space travel, not unlike the early days of aviation almost a century ago.

Mr Boe was speaking in Dundee yesterday on the day Nasa’s final mission lifted off.

Mr Boe said: “It definitely is an end of an era. But when all eras end, there’s always another era that begins.

“The ships have been flying for over 30 years and so it’s definitely an end of an era but we’re also looking forward to the future with new spacecraft.

“I think we’re at a very exciting time for space travel. It’s a lot like aviation was back in the early Twenties when aeroplanes were just starting to get going.

“We’ve already had some space tourists and, as it becomes more and more available, people will be travelling in space just like they do on commercial aeroplanes today.

“In the near future, in the next 50 years, I imagine a lot of people will have the experience of going into space.”

Mr Boe said: “There are two big things that are very noticeable when you get into orbit. One is the amazing view of the Earth.

“You can just tell it’s alive and see things that are going on. You really appreciate that you’re part of this planet, that’s a big spaceship moving through the universe. The other thing is floating, getting to fly like Superman.”

Mr Boe was joined by three other astronauts who flew on Discovery, Michael Barratt, Benjamin Drew and Nicole Stott, on a visit to Captain Scott’s Antarctic vessel of the same name.

The crew was shown around RRS Discovery, which was launched in Dundee in 1901 for Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s first Antarctic journey.