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Space theme parks: Promoting space to the public
Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
Space Policy 25 (2009) 88e89 www.elsevier.com/locate/spacepol
Viewpoint
Space theme parks: Promoting space to the public* Philip Robert Harris 2702 Costebelle Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA Available online 8 April 2009
Abstract China’s advances in space include plans for a state-of-the-art space theme park, based on a new launch center, which promises to show up the outdated and ‘user unfriendly’ public visitor centers at most US space sites. Yet providing better public outreach in the form of theme parks would both inspire large numbers of the general population and provide a useful source of revenue. NASA should show more imagination in the exhibits and facilities it present to the public; it could use various science museums and Hollywood as models. Ó 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
1. Introduction On the island of Hainan in the South China Sea, the People’s Republic of China has been developing a tourist mecca. Progress is evident in the Sanya Marriott Resort and Spa, where four Miss World competitions have already been held [admittedly a dubious measure of progress. Ed]. Its worldclass beaches attract the affluent, and place the island in competition with Hawaii and the Seychelles. But there are two other developments on this isle located on southernmost fringes of China’s mainland. One is the new PRC naval base and underground harbor at Yulin for Jin-class nuclear submarines and Luyang-class destroyers. This facility provides the nation with a sea conduit into Southeast Asia. The other venture is construction of a satellite-launch center at Wenchang, on the island’s northeast coast. When completed in 2012, local government is planning to spend $ one billion on this space theme park. It is expected to be a state-of-the-art attraction that will rival the old Disney parks. Whereas China’s three other mainland launch centers are not tourist oriented, this island site will be focused upon open, international, commercial space activities. Further, it is likely that China may venture here into the space tourism
*
Author Space Enterprise (www.springer.com). E-mail address: [email protected] URL: http://www.drphilipharris.com
0265-9646/$ - see front matter Ó 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2009.02.002
industry that actually puts people in orbit. When we recall China’s accomplishments with the 2008 Olympics, we can anticipate what may created on Hainan. 2. NASA’s denuded vision In its 50 years of operating space bases around the USA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has always been open to civilians visiting its facilities. Organized bus tours can be arranged with base officials. However, some of its visitor centers are aging and inadequate, e.g. the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Others are not ‘user friendly’, as at the Johnson Space Center outside Houston, TX e the restrictive visiting hours do not enable interested citizens to visit outside business hours or to take full advantage of weekends. Only the Huntsville, Alabama facilities and space camp have a modern approach that combines the history of spaceflight with attractive exhibits. Further, the contractors operating the stores or tours are not the most creative in their offerings and services. Museums today feature hands-on exhibits and interactive opportunities for children to experience. NASA charges a hefty admission fee at all visitor centers e imagine the new source of revenue the agency might obtain from agreements with theme park organizers. Then its present national Space Exploration Policy could be translated into a message that would really make an impact on the general population.
P.R. Harris / Space Policy 25 (2009) 88e89
NASA needs to contract with private enterprise for adjoining space theme parks which will transform the old policies and procedures of today’s visitor centers. More simulations, such as those provided in the many Challenger Centers adjoining science museums, are needed. For example, at the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego, there is an Imax Theater and science museum, plus a Challenger Center that offers simulated missions to the Moon. Nearby Balboa Park, the San Diego Aerospace Museum offers interactive, audioevisual space exhibits. If NASA showed more imagination, it would contract with Hollywood producers and animators to create exhibits that stimulate the public imagination about humanity’s potential beyond Earth. 3. Future possibilities Space agencies in worldwide need to join with private enterprise so as to educate the public on how utilization of
89
space resources will remove poverty on this planet and enable us to benefit from the space program. NASA spin-offs have benefited knowledge expansion, health care, science and commerce. But that is only the beginning. In the 20th century movies and television undertakings, such as Star Trek and Star Wars, captured the public imagination and interests as to the prospects offered by this Space Age. In the 21st century space media, tourism and theme parks will synergistically enable the world’s inhabitants to comprehend our on-going offworld future. The computer and internet already open our vistas in this regard, but consider what will result when children and adults are able to manipulate robots on the Moon! In these hard economic times, now is the moment for space planners from both the private and public sectors to form joint ventures that help citizens to understand why investment in outer space exploration and development offer tremendous returns on investment. Once again, it is appropriate to emulate the Chinese and their plans for a space theme park.
Space Policy 25 (2009) 88e89 www.elsevier.com/locate/spacepol
Viewpoint
Space theme parks: Promoting space to the public* Philip Robert Harris 2702 Costebelle Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA Available online 8 April 2009
Abstract China’s advances in space include plans for a state-of-the-art space theme park, based on a new launch center, which promises to show up the outdated and ‘user unfriendly’ public visitor centers at most US space sites. Yet providing better public outreach in the form of theme parks would both inspire large numbers of the general population and provide a useful source of revenue. NASA should show more imagination in the exhibits and facilities it present to the public; it could use various science museums and Hollywood as models. Ó 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
1. Introduction On the island of Hainan in the South China Sea, the People’s Republic of China has been developing a tourist mecca. Progress is evident in the Sanya Marriott Resort and Spa, where four Miss World competitions have already been held [admittedly a dubious measure of progress. Ed]. Its worldclass beaches attract the affluent, and place the island in competition with Hawaii and the Seychelles. But there are two other developments on this isle located on southernmost fringes of China’s mainland. One is the new PRC naval base and underground harbor at Yulin for Jin-class nuclear submarines and Luyang-class destroyers. This facility provides the nation with a sea conduit into Southeast Asia. The other venture is construction of a satellite-launch center at Wenchang, on the island’s northeast coast. When completed in 2012, local government is planning to spend $ one billion on this space theme park. It is expected to be a state-of-the-art attraction that will rival the old Disney parks. Whereas China’s three other mainland launch centers are not tourist oriented, this island site will be focused upon open, international, commercial space activities. Further, it is likely that China may venture here into the space tourism
*
Author Space Enterprise (www.springer.com). E-mail address: [email protected] URL: http://www.drphilipharris.com
0265-9646/$ - see front matter Ó 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.spacepol.2009.02.002
industry that actually puts people in orbit. When we recall China’s accomplishments with the 2008 Olympics, we can anticipate what may created on Hainan. 2. NASA’s denuded vision In its 50 years of operating space bases around the USA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has always been open to civilians visiting its facilities. Organized bus tours can be arranged with base officials. However, some of its visitor centers are aging and inadequate, e.g. the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Others are not ‘user friendly’, as at the Johnson Space Center outside Houston, TX e the restrictive visiting hours do not enable interested citizens to visit outside business hours or to take full advantage of weekends. Only the Huntsville, Alabama facilities and space camp have a modern approach that combines the history of spaceflight with attractive exhibits. Further, the contractors operating the stores or tours are not the most creative in their offerings and services. Museums today feature hands-on exhibits and interactive opportunities for children to experience. NASA charges a hefty admission fee at all visitor centers e imagine the new source of revenue the agency might obtain from agreements with theme park organizers. Then its present national Space Exploration Policy could be translated into a message that would really make an impact on the general population.
P.R. Harris / Space Policy 25 (2009) 88e89
NASA needs to contract with private enterprise for adjoining space theme parks which will transform the old policies and procedures of today’s visitor centers. More simulations, such as those provided in the many Challenger Centers adjoining science museums, are needed. For example, at the Ruben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego, there is an Imax Theater and science museum, plus a Challenger Center that offers simulated missions to the Moon. Nearby Balboa Park, the San Diego Aerospace Museum offers interactive, audioevisual space exhibits. If NASA showed more imagination, it would contract with Hollywood producers and animators to create exhibits that stimulate the public imagination about humanity’s potential beyond Earth. 3. Future possibilities Space agencies in worldwide need to join with private enterprise so as to educate the public on how utilization of
89
space resources will remove poverty on this planet and enable us to benefit from the space program. NASA spin-offs have benefited knowledge expansion, health care, science and commerce. But that is only the beginning. In the 20th century movies and television undertakings, such as Star Trek and Star Wars, captured the public imagination and interests as to the prospects offered by this Space Age. In the 21st century space media, tourism and theme parks will synergistically enable the world’s inhabitants to comprehend our on-going offworld future. The computer and internet already open our vistas in this regard, but consider what will result when children and adults are able to manipulate robots on the Moon! In these hard economic times, now is the moment for space planners from both the private and public sectors to form joint ventures that help citizens to understand why investment in outer space exploration and development offer tremendous returns on investment. Once again, it is appropriate to emulate the Chinese and their plans for a space theme park.