Colliding Continents

Friday, December 07, 2007

Spaceheads

I’ve always wanted to go to space, it’s just too bad I spent all my money for a decent college education. I could really use that $200,000 for a trip on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two.

Mr. Branson is always trying to make everyone’s adventurous dreams come true, it’s too bad they aren’t free. With a $20,000 required down payment, one of Virgin Galactic’s Accredited Space Agents will be more than happy to reserve you a seat for a launch as early as 2009. Do they offer lay away? Or maybe a financing plan?

Here is a thought, if Virgin Galactic were to take off what are the environmental impacts of the launches? By 2011 Galactic expects to launch twice daily. According to Discovery.com, a single NASA launch produces 28 tons of CO2, at two launches a year that is 5 tons of CO2 a month. Discovery.com reports that Kennedy Space Center (NASA launch site) leaves a carbon footprint 900 times that given off a shuttle’s rocket boosters in one launch and not to mention the 13 tons of hydrochloric acid which kills fish and plants within a half mile of the launch site.

Galactic has decided that its spaceport in New Mexico will take a green approach. Their plans include a high-tech ventilation system, solar panels, and massive windows. I hope this is enough to offset the overall carbon footprint. Maybe the $200K can help with that?

Can’t wait to go to space, but if it means burning a hole in my home, I’d rather not.