Why do people explore?

Spaceport America: Your Ticket to Explore Space

Have you ever traveled on an airplane? Everyday, thousands of people fly from one place to another. Airplanes are part of life. You don’t have to be a pilot to explore the world. You just need to buy a ticket and board a plane. Today, some tourists are hoping to explore beyond this world. They are hoping to explore space.
Astronauts and scientists have been exploring space for many years. They study and train for years to travel to space. But space exploration for everyday people may be coming soon. On June 19, 2009, construction began on Spaceport America in New Mexico. The spaceport will be like an airport. It will be a place for travelers to board flights. Believe it or not, these flights will be going to space!
[IMG]http://www.macmillanmh.com/tlxnews/wp-******************************************/uploads/2009/10/spacestation.jpg[/IMG] CREDIT: Virgin Galactic, Foster + Partners, www.virgingalactic.com
The design for Spaceport America in New Mexico


How much does it cost to travel to space? Tickets are very expensive. Only a few private spaceships exist to make space flights possible. The demand for seats on space flights is high and the supply is low. More ships are being built and tested. When there are more ships and more flights, tickets will become less expensive. More people will be able to explore space.
[IMG]http://www.macmillanmh.com/tlxnews/wp-******************************************/uploads/2009/10/WK21.jpg[/IMG] CREDIT: Virgin Galactic, www.virgingalactic.com
A design for the spaceships to be used at Spaceport America


Space tourism and exploration may have a big effect on the economy. Thousands of people will be needed to work in and build spaceports. People will also be needed to research and build spaceships. Space tourism and exploration may create new jobs that we cannot even imagine!
In the past, people may never have dreamed of a day when airplanes would take us around the world. Today many of us hope for a future when spaceships take us around the universe! This future may be closer than we think. The excitement of space exploration could belong to everyone. Spaceport America might be a major step in our incredible journey.