Perhaps, you have heard of spacewalking before. If you have never come across the phrase before, it has possibly reminded you of some popular movies such as “Alien: Covenant” and “A Space Odyssey.” Some years ago, spacewalking would happen in movies alone, but space tourism has made it a reality. If enjoying a spacewalk is one of your goals, you should know that it comes with many risks and requires adequate preparation. This post will provide you with all information about this space tourism extravehicular activity.
What is Spacewalking?
Spacewalking, also known as extravehicular activity (EVA), refers to a moment when a person gets outside a space vehicle in space. Alexei Leonov was the first person to walk outside his vehicle and the available information shows that he spent 10 minutes outside the vehicle. Today, many people, particularly astronauts who work on the international space station (ISS), spacewalk.
Is Spacewalking Safe?
As we have already mentioned, spacewalking is a dangerous activity because it requires you to step outside the protected space vehicle and enter an environment full of many risks, such as dangerous cosmic radiation. To make the extravehicular activity safe, spacewalkers must have the right equipment. For instance, they must have enough oxygen to breathe during the spacewalk and pressurized suits to protect them from cosmic radiation.
Furthermore, most space tourism companies do not allow spacewalks unless the spacewalkers are under full-time and strict observation of a highly experienced crew. The spacewalkers have to stay tethered to the space vehicle until the spacewalking session ends. The tethering prevents them from floating away into space.
The Experience to Expect When Spacewalking
When asked how it feels to walk in space, most space tourists and astronauts get a dreamy look instantly on their faces. They might say something like “the views take your breath away” or “is what it feels to be on top of the globe.” Others will say that “nothing compares to spending time alone in the world” but most prefer calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”, which no one should miss.
The tourists also claim that spacewalking is not for the fainthearted and you should not go for it if you fear heights. They claim that floating in space tethered to a vehicle is scary. Still, it offers a good opportunity to capture beautiful photos for your home album. In the future, the photos may be the reference points for journals, books, documentaries, and other types of work-related to space. You will be part of history.
Which Space Travel Companies Provide Spacewalking as Part of their Package?
Spacewalking is a complicated activity that comes with many risks. Even more, the required training and protective equipment can be expensive, therefore increasing the cost of space tourism. It is for that reason that most space travel companies do not offer spacewalking activities.
However, many companies may offer this extravehicular activity in the future after more companies invest in space tourism. Andrey Bokarev claims that space travel companies will attract more people after they include many activities, including spacewalking, in their travel packages. Keep in mind that only companies that offer orbital flights will allow spacewalking because those that engage in suborbital flights take a short time in space. That means their space tourists cannot get enough time to engage in this wonderful activity.
Most people would want to engage in spacewalking after traveling to space. However, not every company will allow you to do that. Therefore, you have to do your homework when choosing a space travel company. Choose one that offers good programs for space activities. Ensure that photography and spacewalking are on their list. That way, you will enjoy your travel. Still, you can only engage in a spacewalk when it is safe.
