Locals weigh in: Is a space vacation possible in the near future?

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Is a family vacation to space just a few short years away from reality? With Virgin Galactic’s Unity 22 expedition, a trip to space might be closer than some people think.

According to area experts, sub-orbital flights, or flights just above the Earth’s surface, are likely to become available to the public in the next decade. However, seats on these flights cost about $250,000.

It will be another 30-40 years before these flights become more affordable.

“People have to come in with the proper expectations. I don’t think it’ll be like, ‘okay Martha, let’s get the kids. We’re going to take a space trip. No, that is not going to happen–not anytime soon. Maybe 30 years? In 30 years, who knows?” said Eastern Kentucky University physics professor Dr. Marco Ciocca.

Traveling beyond the sub-orbital realm, such as to the moon or a space station, is likely to be even further away.

“I’m 61–maybe my grandkids who are around ten–when they get to be my age, maybe. But there are a lot of technological things and societal things that’ll have to be addressed first,” said Morehead State University Department Chair Dr. Eric Jerde.

Both professors stress that the flights available in the foreseeable future will likely only be in the Earth’s orbit, not to the moon or deep space.