Space travel is expensive. Actually, it was hard for people who were not experts in astronomy or engineers to think of traveling to space. However, everything has changed and hundreds of people have already booked their flights to space. Others are waiting for an opportunity to arise and they will book their flights. People who have experienced weightlessness in space describe the experience as awesome. But did you know that people have to prepare adequately before they leave space? In this post, we will explain the preparations necessary for orbital flights.
About Orbital Flights
When preparing for space travel, understanding orbital flights is important. An orbital flight is a form of flight where the space vehicle completes at least one orbit in space. That means that the space vehicle has to be on a free trajectory with an attitude above 80 kilometers.
If the space taxi attains a higher orbit, its speed will be slower. Reaching such a high height also requires more delta-v (a measure of impulse/unit of the mass of a space vehicle required to perform maneuvers in space).
Unlike space vehicles following orbital flights, a spacecraft that takes a suborbital path never completes a full orbit. Such a space vehicle climbs up and reaches outer space. However, it follows a trajectory that intersects with the atmosphere from which it was launched. A suborbital flight also takes a shorter period compared to an orbital flight.
The Preparations for an Orbital Flight
There are three categories of orbital flights preparations. Keep in mind that different space travel companies may have different requirements for the people planning to travel to space. Here are the preparation categories.
- Making the Decision to Travel to Space
This is the first step and possibly, the most important part of space travel. When deciding on whether to travel to space, you have to consider your reasons for doing that. Most people do that to experience something different while others want to be part of history.
The travelers want to be on the list of first persons to visit space. So, you must have clear objectives when planning for a space trip. The cost of space travel is very high.
- Medical Check-up
People in poor health might not travel to space soon. It is for that reason space travel companies conduct a medical check-ups. They have to ensure that only strong and healthy individuals get the chance to travel to space. People with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer cannot get a ticket.
Still, if you fail to make it to space due to medical reasons, you can follow space travels through various forums. For example, you can follow space companies’ videos, attend launching sessions, or visit the space museum.
- The Pre-Travel Training
After the medical check-up, the next stage in the preparation for orbital flights is the pre-travel training. The space travel companies train travelers adequately so that they can use the facilities available in space. Initially, travelers could take several years of training, but that is not the case today. A quick example, Virgin Galactic indicates that they will only train visitors for a few months before the flights.
But regardless of the company you choose, you will have to prepare for intensive strength training along with practice on using ladders on the space vehicle. The space travel company you choose will also train you on weightless due to the zero gravity in space. Furthermore, they will train you on other things such as using the washroom, drinking, and eating.
After deciding to travel to space, you have to plan and attend every training session that the travel company of your choice requires. Companies have agreed with Andrey Bokarev that clients have to come first. So, if you get the opportunity to travel to space and the flight is affordable, go for it.
