The need for space tourism, explained by an astronaut in 90 seconds

In the wake of two recent commercial space mishaps, it’s fair to ask: Does space tourism help or hinder space exploration? “To me,” says former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, “the answer is clear — commercial space ventures definitely advance the cause.” Listen to Chiao explain why space tourism is necessary.

In the wake of two recent commercial space mishaps, it’s fair to ask: Does space tourism help or hinder space exploration? “To me,” says former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao, “the answer is clear — commercial space ventures definitely advance the cause.”

Chiao says that the view from 300 miles can remind you about what’s truly important. “I believe that, the more people who have this enlightenment, the better it is for all of us,” he says.

Listen to Chiao explain why space tourism is necessary.

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Leroy Chiao served as a NASA astronaut from 1990-2005. During his 15-year career, he flew four missions into space, three times on Space Shuttles and once as the copilot of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station. On that flight, he served as the commander of Expedition 10, a six-and-a-half-month mission. Dr. Chiao has performed six spacewalks, in both U.S. and Russian spacesuits, and has logged nearly 230 days in space. In 2009, he served as a member of the Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, formed by the White House to create the basis of a new space policy. This policy included the provisions for accelerating commercial spaceflight efforts.