Commercial Implications of Market Research on Space Tourism

Abstract

During the summer of 1993 a market research questionnaire designed to investigate the potential demand for orbital tourism was completed by more than 3000 people from all age groups in Japan - the first such market research in the world. Using the results of this survey, a number of analyses are being performed. From the prices that people say they would pay to visit space, a demand curve can be derived, showing the level of demand that could be expected at different price-levels. The possible pattern of demand growth as the range of commercial space tourism services grows is also considered. The level of investment in the development of reusable passenger-carrying launch vehicles that could be commercially justified by this market is also estimated, and the assumptions made are discussed.