Mass production of space access: Made in China?

[phgnome]

I just bought a special issue of Popular Science called Space 2100...to Mars and beyond in the century to come. It outlines some interesting infrastructure that different corporations are planning to build in space and, basically, the lack of regulation in space and the coming need to create laws and regulations for businesses operating outside the jurisdiction of any country on Earth.

If China were to begin mass producing a reasonably affordable (by affordable, I mean the price of a luxury SUV) means to get into space, just as Henry Ford began mass producing reasonably affordable cars with the assembly line at the beginning of the industrial revolution, how many of us would go?

I only say China because it seems to have taken on a market niche in something that the US was once good at but now many US manufacturers seems to have "upscaled" their markets and abandoned the "economy" niche that makes things affordable for everyday people. Take cars for example: Chrysler had a great niche until it got together with Mercedes. Yes, now it produces "quality cars" like every other auto manufacturer in the world but has left the "economy" niche wide open. I can no longer afford a car that's made by Chrysler. Which is too bad because I really liked their K-cars because I could afford them. Who cares if they make the Stealth and the Prowler? I can't afford them. It's too much for me to afford on a car. Space travel, on the other hand, well, I'd mortgage everything but everything I own and I think I would just not come back.

It doesn't seem impossible to go to space these days but one would have to have a lot of money. What about space access for the working middle class? There's so many of us, I think, that would REALLY like to go. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that someone takes the "economy" niche of space access because I'd REALLY like to go in my lifetime. Personally, I don't care who takes us there, as long as I get there.

So...how many of us here would go if it were the price of a luxury SUV to get into orbit and go for a month in a space hotel? (Just curious if I'm the only one).

[alexwcovington]

1. Space is a tad more challenging

China uses toxic Tetroxide/UDMH for its rocket fuel at the moment, not practical for home use... and they currently appear to be following the Soviet model of military control and limited design tweaks only as needed.

But in theory.... you might be able to machine out the parts for a rocket for maybe the cost of a small aircraft, $80-100,000 or so...