Includes First-Ever Tourist Review of Space
from Dr. Sian Proctor
LAS
VEGAS, July 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American
Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and Tripadvisor
have launched "Destination: Space," a new content platform
dedicated to space tourism, exploration, and education.
"Destination: Space" aims to demystify space for the general public
and make space tourism more accessible to all. The platform
features Tripadvisor reviews and content from the growing community
of astronauts who have traveled to space – sharing their unfiltered
experiences of what it's like to travel off planet Earth. These
human stories draw from the ever-expanding community of more than
600 people who have traveled to space.
The announcement was celebrated during the 2024 ASCEND event in
Las Vegas where more than 3,500
people in the aerospace community and adjacent industries are
gathered this week.
In addition to reviews on traveling to space, "Destination:
Space" includes links for the public to book actual space
experiences. Enthusiasts can find travel information to visit
space-related locations here on Earth, including museums and
science centers, as well as where to see rocket launches, take
advantage of STEM learning opportunities, and explore online space
resources.
The First Review from Space
The first official
review from space is provided by Dr. Sian "Leo" Proctor, renowned
for her groundbreaking achievements as the first African American
woman to pilot a spaceship, paint in space, and serve on the SpaceX
Inspiration4 mission – the first all-civilian orbital mission. She
became a commercial astronaut following her 22 years as a professor
teaching geology, sustainability, and planetary science at
South Mountain Community College in
Phoenix, Arizona, and now as a
geoscience professor at the Maricopa Community Colleges in
Tempe, Arizona. Her humorous yet
accurate review of space appears alongside videos, photos, and the
familiar Tripadvisor "bubble ratings" for ambiance, location, sleep
quality, and more.
A Unique Perspective
The content at "Destination:
Space" includes not only reviews but also space-inspired
itineraries, interactive educational STEM programs, and more,
catering to those who wish to experience space here on Earth – for
fun, inspiration, and education. This additional information is
provided by experts and enthusiasts working in the space community.
Reviews from other space travelers – Victor
L. Vescovo and Marty Allen –
are included, with more to be added as increasing numbers of people
explore the final frontier.
Making Space Accessible to
More People
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."
Media Contact: Rebecca
Gray, rebeccag@aiaa.org, 804-397-5270
About AIAA
AIAA is the world's largest aerospace
technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91
countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together
industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and
science in aviation, space, and defense. Visit www.aiaa.org,
and follow AIAA on X/Twitter, Facebook,
LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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SOURCE AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics and
Astronautics