Wednesday, July 31, 2024
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The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Tripadvisor have introduced a new content platform called “Destination: Space,” aimed at promoting space tourism, exploration, and education. This platform seeks to make space more accessible and understandable for the general public by offering firsthand accounts and reviews from astronauts who have ventured beyond Earth. These personal stories, shared by over 600 space travelers, provide unique insights into the experience of space travel.
The launch of “Destination: Space” was celebrated at the 2024 ASCEND event in Las Vegas, where more than 3,500 professionals from the aerospace and related industries gathered.
Besides astronaut reviews, “Destination: Space” offers resources for booking space-related experiences, such as visits to museums, science centers, and rocket launch sites. The platform also provides information on STEM learning opportunities and online resources for space enthusiasts.
The First Review from Space
Dr. Sian “Leo” Proctor is celebrated for her groundbreaking accomplishments as the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft, create art in space, and take part in the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission—the inaugural all-civilian orbital mission.—the first all-civilian orbital mission—has provided the first official review from space. Dr. Proctor, a commercial astronaut, brings her unique perspective from over 22 years as a professor teaching geology, sustainability, and planetary science at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. She now serves as a geoscience professor at the Maricopa Community Colleges in Tempe, Arizona. Her review, noted for its humor and accuracy, includes videos, photos, and the familiar Tripadvisor “bubble ratings” for ambiance, location, sleep quality, and more.
A Unique Perspective
“Destination: Space” offers more than just reviews; it features space-inspired itineraries, interactive educational STEM programs, and additional content aimed at those seeking to experience space here on Earth for fun, inspiration, and education. This content is contributed by experts and enthusiasts from the space community. Reviews from other space travelers, such as Victor L. Vescovo and Marty Allen, are also included, with more expected as space exploration becomes increasingly accessible.
Adam Ochman from Tripadvisor commented on this exciting development, “We are thrilled to launch ‘Destination: Space,’ where we aim to bridge the gap between Earth and the cosmos, providing our community with engaging and educational content that fuels curiosity and inspires future generations of space travelers.”
“AIAA is dedicated to accelerating humanity’s future in space through fostering innovative collaborations inside and outside of the space industry. We are thrilled to work closely with Tripadvisor, a global online travel market leader, to promote space as an increasingly accessible destination,” said Brian Talbot, AIAA vice president of revenue development, marketing and communications. “With the launch of ‘Destination: Space,’ Tripadvisor joins the emerging ecosystem of non-aerospace companies and new industries that now see space as an opportunity.”
