An animated presentation of the AERA’s Altairis rocket, which will begin taking tourists into space in 2006, will be available via satellite to news stations globally on March 30. The same animation will also be made available on AERA’s website.
The video animation will allow anyone to see what the future of space tourism will look like.
“We wanted as many people as possible to be able to see the near future where the wonder and awe of space travel will become a reality for many – not just a select few,” said Bill Sprague, founder, CEO and chief scientist of AERA Corp.
The release of the design of the rocket closely follows AERA’s recently signed agreements with the United States Air Force and the Florida Space Authority to use Cape Canaveral for launch, flight operations and landing.
“As companies work to make space accessible to the masses, the Florida Space Authority will work with them to make individuals’ dreams of space flight come true,” said Paul Altier, manager of spaceport operations at the Florida Space Authority.
The United States Air Force will also be working with AERA and added that they will be “providing oversight to ensure flight and public safety attention is maintained,” said Rick Blucker, chief of plans and programs with the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base in Florida.
The agreements with the Florida Space Authority and the United States Air Force are critical elements to having a legitimate and ongoing outer space tourism program.
“Having those agreements signed for us is like a large commercial carrier opening a hub at a major airport – without a hub you have no airline and without an agreement like this you have no space program,” said Sprague.
