The development of the commercial space tourism industry was not
inevitable. Although a potentially profitable enterprise for several stakeholders, there
was absolutely no assurance that commercial space tourism would take off. This chapter
initially assessed the alleged inevitability of commercial space tourism by applying five
factors. Initially, we sought to ascertain whether an industry existed at the present time
in dichotomous terms, yes or no? The relative degree of development was the second
criterion used to consider the inevitability of space tourism industrial development.
Next, timeline estimates for the arrival of the commercial space tourism industry were
accumulated and arranged on a chronological continuum. The fourth criterion involved
the existence of substantial impediments to realization of space tourism enterprises;
eleven primary impediments and ten secondary obstacles were identified and quantified.
Fifth and finally the fact that some impetus was necessary to facilitate and catalyze
commercial space tourism was documented. The second main section of this chapter
suggested that strategic communication promoted commercial space tourism
development. Two rationales supported this conclusion: there were communication
solutions to space tourism impediments, and communication could be used to provide
the impetus for industrial initiatives. The final section of this chapter described its
transitional nature. The first part of this book documented space tourism impediments.
Now the second section will demonstrate strategic communication solutions.
Keywords: Advertising, ATV, Augustine Commission, commercial space
tourism development, communication function, communication tactic, elite
market, impediment, impetus, investor relations, lobbying, marketing, persuasion,
public awareness, public awareness campaign, public opinion, public relations,
social influence, SpaceShip Two, strategic communication, supply elasticity.
