I have mostly denigrated space tourism, at least as a stepping stone to human space exploration. Proponents believe that attaching market forces to technology (which always advances) will lead inevitably to humanity exploring ever-more distant space.
About half of the equation works: market forces are driving down prices. Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic began by charging $200,000 for a ride aboard its SpaceShip Two. But now for just $100,000, Armadillo Aerospace is offering what Space.com called "sub-orbital joy rides." The mocking shift in nomenclature is perhaps a more important development than Armadillo's becoming the Budget Rent-a-car of space tourism.
Both Armadillo and Virgin only get you to the edge of space, about 62 miles up. To get higher, there is presently no alternative to a multi-stage rocket and not even market forces can change that. For the real deal, you still need to disgorge a million dollars to fly on the Soyuz.
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