Privatized Space Travel To Make Big Leaps In 2013

Online, January 23, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Throughout 2013, private companies will start making giant leaps in the world of space travel. New flight tests, new launches, wind tunnel tests and rocket technology advances are all planned during the new year.

In fact, Space Exploration Technologies, also known as SpaceX, has already built and flown their own spacecraft. The Dragon, which was assembled in Hawthorne, Calif., has flown three times so far, including carrying supplies to the International Space Station two times last year. Dragon's next flight is set for May 2013, but a passenger-carrying aircraft is being built in the mean time.

The new space taxi is said to hold up to seven people and will hold mega parachutes to ensure a safer landing. The Dragon 2, as the crew carrying aircraft is named, will compete for NASA's International Space Station crew transportation contract.

Contenders to the Dragon 2 include other planes from Bowing and the Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Boeing's aircraft, called the Commercial Space Transportation 100 (CST-100) can also carry up to seven astronauts and will use airbags to cushion its landing. The CST-100 capsule is built to launch using the Atlas 5 rockets.

The third contender, Sierra Nevada's Dream Chaser space plane was built based off of NASA's very own HL-20, which was studied over 20 years ago. The Dream Chaser, however, is still in its test stage. An un-manned aircraft will fly at some low speeds and practice landing tests at NASA's flight research center in California. This spacecraft will also use Atlas 5 rockets to launch.

With the rise of privatized space travel, what's next for the commercial world? Will everyday customers be able to book a flight on one of these spacecrafts?