Using refueling flights for Space Tourism

[NotOnImpact]

As mars cargo and manned vessels start being staged in orbit, there are a LOT of refueling flights happening.  These flights cannot carry cargo because they need to get as much fuel to orbit as possible.  But a handful of space tourists?  Why not subsidize the flights with a few paying customers. 

Before you mention the point-to-point experience as being the same and cheaper - those folks won't even get out of their seats.  On the other hand, these flights will enter orbit, and then DOCK WITH ANOTHER SHIP, and then remain in orbit for many hours until a landing opportunity is available.  This sounds like a unique experience that I know many people would put up some cash for.  This would only be second to a moon or Mars trip - but without the need for packing. 

[spacenut]

Like something about the size of a Dragon capsule in the nose for 5-6 passengers, may have a little less fuel they can carry but just a few hours time and a few orbits.  I like the idea.  Helps pay for the tanker. 

[envy887]

As mars cargo and manned vessels start being staged in orbit, there are a LOT of refueling flights happening.  These flights cannot carry cargo because they need to get as much fuel to orbit as possible.  But a handful of space tourists?  Why not subsidize the flights with a few paying customers. 

Before you mention the point-to-point experience as being the same and cheaper - those folks won't even get out of their seats.  On the other hand, these flights will enter orbit, and then DOCK WITH ANOTHER SHIP, and then remain in orbit for many hours until a landing opportunity is available.  This sounds like a unique experience that I know many people would put up some cash for.  This would only be second to a moon or Mars trip - but without the need for packing.

The tanker version as depicted had no windows and no sign of a pressure vessel in the crew area.

Adding human spaceflight requirements to a tanker mission also adds a lot of work on the ground; it's no longer gas-and-go launching tankers as quick as they can stack and fill them.

[su27k]

As mars cargo and manned vessels start being staged in orbit, there are a LOT of refueling flights happening.  These flights cannot carry cargo because they need to get as much fuel to orbit as possible.  But a handful of space tourists?  Why not subsidize the flights with a few paying customers. 

The tanker is not designed to carry human. But they could sell slot for smallsats, or ask nanorack to design some racks for short term 0-g experiments.

[NotOnImpact]

The tanker version as depicted had no windows and no sign of a pressure vessel in the crew area.

Adding human spaceflight requirements to a tanker mission also adds a lot of work on the ground; it's no longer gas-and-go launching tankers as quick as they can stack and fill them.

It's not going to be "re-fuel and launch as soon as possible" situation.  They have to wait until the orbits align again.  And since the tanker just returned, that means the orbit won't come back into alignment for perhaps 12 hours.  The refueling will likely be done from several pads to make it quicker if that's what's needed. 

If adding a pressure vessel and passengers end up making the flight more expensive, then of course it isn't worth it.  But people, at least initially, would be willing to pay a LOT of money for this ride. 

[NotOnImpact]

Like something about the size of a Dragon capsule in the nose for 5-6 passengers, may have a little less fuel they can carry but just a few hours time and a few orbits.  I like the idea.  Helps pay for the tanker.

I was thinking that a disc shaped pressure vessel at the bottom level (where the access door is) would make the most sense.   Although it might be heavier than is practical.

A 9 meter diameter means ~28 meters of circumference.  If you had a window every 2 meters you could seat 14 people facing outward.   You then have a very large (at least 50 square meters) area in the center to play zero-g games.

As far as cost goes -- I don't think that $75k is too much for a once in a lifetime experience (for some people, that is) and it would yield $1.05M.   That should pay for a good chunk of the fuel.

[douglas100]

I was thinking that a disc shaped pressure vessel at the bottom level (where the access door is) would make the most sense.   Although it might be heavier than is practical.

A 9 meter diameter means ~28 meters of circumference.  If you had a window every 2 meters you could seat 14 people facing outward....

I don't think windows on the side of the ship with the delta wing would be a good idea. Remember the ship enters on its side, rather like the shuttle. These windows would would be looking through the main part of the heat shield at some interesting very hot plasma.

That detail aside, I think leaving unmodified tankers to get on with their job is the better choice. Dedicated tourist flights are probably the way to go. (They might involve rendezvous or flyby of a suitable LEO station or spacecraft as an extra for the customers.)

[NotOnImpact]

I don't think windows on the side of the ship with the delta wing would be a good idea. Remember the ship enters on its side, rather like the shuttle. These windows would would be looking through the main part of the heat shield at some interesting very hot plasma.

Good point.  This is why I am not exactly a rocket scientist.   

[CuddlyRocket]

I think a better opportunity for paying passengers is on ISS (and potentially other space stations) crew rotation and cargo resupply flights. Not only can the BFR do both simultaneously, it has far more capacity than required. As this is already HSF, a few additional passengers shouldn't be a major problem. They can stay on the BFR the entire time (thereby also testing out its ECLSS).