The sky’s no longer the limit
ADELAIDE-born astronaut Andy Thomas has a 10 year plan to to turn the Woomera rocket range into an international spaceport for tourists.
Dr Thomas has told the Federal Government about his $150 million idea to use the outback site to send international tourists into space and launch satellites.
He outlined his plan to Science Minister Julie Bishop last month when he visited Australia, and this week wrote to her about the initiative.
“One of the best places in the world to run commercial space flights is Woomera.” he said.
The space shuttle veteran said Woomera was perfectly suited for space flight because it was dry, had stable weather, already had important technical infrastructure and “has a down-range area that is safe”.
“What a great place to have a space adventure,” he said.
“It just takes an investment, a will to do it and a commitment like New Mexico has done.”
“Space tourism will be running into the billions of dollars in the years to come,” Dr Thomas said. “It’s amazing how many people have got that cash lying around.”
Several companies besides Virgin Galactic are planning to send tourists into space, including US-based Space Adventures, which recently announced plans to build spaceports in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
Space Adventures has already sent three civilians into space. Each paid $27 million to stay on the International Space Station, circling the Earth for several days.
The company is now taking bookings for a $138,000 trip to the edge of space.
Graham Muldoon
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive