China set to enter space tourism business

ANU astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr Brad Tucker says it is “not surprising” China is entering the space tourism business with launches set for 2024.

“A lot of people do not realise that China last year and I think this year is on track to have the most rocket launches as a country so definitely beating the US and Russia,” he told Sky News Australia.

“So not surprising they want to enter into the private space game.”

Dr Tucker said while China is banned from participating in any US-based space programs, private companies and citizens are allowed to.

He said China’s 2024 launch may open the door to other countries developing their space programs and entering the sector as well.

“With China entering that game, I wouldn’t be surprised if other countries enter the private space race game or we get more US or maybe even Australian companies that do this,” he said.

“This is not the end but definitely the beginning of this - who can send the most tourists up into space.”

[markymark]

Am I the only one who puked when this woman said about the Chinese “if you can beat them, join them” 🤮

[KamalToe]

Meanwhile in Australia. People in Echuca cannot go to Moama.

[heintz]

straws are bad, petrol cars are bad, space tourism is good..The insanity

[charliebrown]

Why are climate change advocates quiet on space tourists? I would imagine the carbon footprint would be massive…

[mastanshah]

I have been watching some videos and I was thinking about investing, but still don't know where to start from.

[DashcamofCrazyDrivers]

One way ticket to travel to space forever.

[deonbrunette]

If their rocket works as badly as their other products I’ll won’t be getting on board.

[paolocardinali]

Boycott China whenever you have the choice...

[lukeh]

Sky news, forget ccp bioweapons, genocide, war mongering, let's talk about ccp disney space tourism.

[Garfield-lm]

We would love to see Xi Jinping as the first Emperor launched into Space. 😂

[IcanBePsycho]

How many developing nations have a space program?.

[larryhermann]

Seems to little me that has followed space tech since I was in kindergarten (Apollo missions), that the serious business of space is no longer about exploration. Sure Elon Musk has dreams of putting people on Mars and sooner than that on the Moon. It will certainly be headline grabbing stuff when it happens because it certainly will happen, , but the commercialisation of space has been happening for years with the advent of satellites and all they can offer us all here back on earth. The final frontier is not exploration; it's tourism, with all the controversies around it, just like back in the 60's when many complained it's outrageous to send a few astronauts to the moon for billions of dollars with so many back on Earth struggling for their daily bowl of rice.

[zhaowei]

Space rides. Complimentary vyrus with each ticket

[kingdom]

Yeah and take their pandemic with them....😣

[alexroskyar]

there is no fuckin way I'm getting on a Chinese made rocket

[scblfcb]

Not a developing country then... Make them go net zero! Why should we go over the cliff alone stand up to them not congratulate them...

[richienotsorich]

How is China able to pull this off being an "undeveloped country" that receives billions in funds from other You don't see Taiwan doing this or having a huge dangerous military. 🤔

[ohasis]

To be fair, the laws of maths and physics are the same all round the world so expect some similarities.
They have to do the space tourist thing to save face.

[jolyroger]

Like we can trust them fooling around in space!

[sohailvlogt]

Positive reporting by sky News Appreciated.