Viewing Earth from space is a life-changing experience for most astronauts. But only about 600 people have ever done so. Many who have say it has given them a better appreciation for our planet. Supporters of space tourism argue that more people visiting space could lead to a greater respect for Earth.
Plus, space missions of the past have led to inventions such as solar panels and digital image sensors on cameras and phones. Some experts believe that an increase in space tourism could lead to more innovation. López-Alegría says that paying customers aren’t going to space just for a relaxing vacation.
“The private astronauts on the Ax-1 mission conducted experiments that could benefit future spaceflights,” he explains.
Besides, supporters of space tourism say, trips to space could become less expensive in the future. Airline tickets were once out of reach for most people too. But over time, they became more affordable.