Will the World Change When Everyone Gets to See It From Space?

Wanderlust in All of Us

For many of us, the fascination with what else is out there is sparked by traveling and seeing other places, other cultures. There’s nothing like a trip out of your comfort zone to make you marvel at how big and wondrous the world is around us. Travel experiences are often life changing.

However, only about 22% of Americans have a passport (according to the U.S. State Department). That means that fewer than 1 in 4 Americans can venture even as far abroad as Canada or Mexico.

So what will happen when the prospect of leisurely orbiting around the Earth becomes less expensive than a trip to Cancun?

Space Travel for Dummies

Will millions of tourists really start hitting up Priceline for the best space fares on a Labor Day getaway? A trip up into orbit would be guaranteed to blow your mind and radically change your world view (no pun intended).

Looking down at the sheer majesty of the Earth from above would likely help people see it as more precious. Maybe I’m just naive. Maybe people will get used to that awe-inspiring vision (like say with Niagara Falls, which doesn’t get proper respect anymore) and orbit will eventually lose its charm and novelty.

I have to believe that won’t be the case. I think space travel will become one of those things people do that alter them forever. And I’m hoping it’ll be a reality in my lifetime.

Virgin Galactic

Right now, you can put down a $20,000 deposit on a $200,000 flight into sub-orbit on Richard Branson’s lil spaceship.

And yes, I know this is beyond the means of the average person, but it will come down in price. And eventually it will be offered to the masses. If Branson pulls this off, this will likely be his greatest contribution to humanity (aside from his manic ballooning).

And Sir Richard, if you’re reading this (as I’m sure you are), I will make myself available to review one of the first flights of Virgin Galactic for the BNT readers.

How do you think your perspective might be influenced if you got to see the Earth from space?

(Also, want to get a perspective on the size of the Universe? Check out the video of the 3D atlas of the Universe as demonstrated at the TED conference.)