Would You Take a Trip to Space?

3. . . 2 . . . 1 . . . blastoff! With a burst of rocket fire, you rush toward the sky. The spaceship rattles like the bumpiest roller-coaster ride ever. As you speed faster and faster, it feels like a giant hand is pressing you into your seat.

Then the rocket engine shuts off . . . and you’re instantly weightless. Unbuckling your seat belt, you float around the ship. Through the window, Earth looks like a watery marble hovering in the darkness of space.

Usually, astronauts study and train for years before they get this experience. But regular people might travel to space as soon as this year.

Some rocket companies are letting any adult buy a spot on a future space trip. And NASA, the government space agency, will soon let people visit the International Space Station—a science lab that circles high above Earth.

But you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to wonder: Are space vacations a good idea?

3. . . 2 . . . 1 . . . blastoff! With a burst of rocket fire, you rush toward the sky. The spaceship rattles like a bumpy roller-coaster ride. You speed faster and faster. It feels like a giant hand is pressing you into your seat. 

Then the rocket engine shuts off. All of a sudden, you’re weightless. You unbuckle your seat belt and float around the ship. Through the window, Earth looks like a watery marble floating in the darkness of space.

Usually, astronauts study and train for years before they get to be in space. But regular people might travel there as soon as this year. 

Some rocket companies are letting people buy a spot on a future space trip. And NASA, the government space agency, will soon let people visit the International Space Station. That’s a science lab that circles high above Earth. 

But are space vacations a good idea?

3... 2... 1... ¡despega! Con la explosión de un cohete, te lanzas al espacio. La nave espacial traquetea como la montaña rusa más accidentada de la historia. A medida que acelera cada vez más rápido, se siente como si una mano gigante te estuviera presionando contra tu asiento.

Luego, el motor del cohete se apaga... e instantáneamente te quedas sin peso. Una vez te desabrochas el cinturón de seguridad, flotas por la nave. A través de la ventana, la Tierra parece una canica acuosa flotando en la oscuridad del espacio.

Por lo general, los astronautas estudian y entrenan durante años antes de vivir esta experiencia. Pero la gente común podría viajar al espacio tan pronto como este año.

Algunas compañías de cohetes permiten que cualquier adulto compre un asiento en un viaje espacial futuro. Y la NASA, la agencia espacial gubernamental, pronto permitirá que las personas visiten la Estación Espacial Internacional, un laboratorio de ciencias que circula muy por encima de la Tierra.

Pero no es necesario ser un científico espacial para preguntarse: ¿Son las vacaciones espaciales una buena idea?

Space travel would be an out-of-this-world opportunity. So far, only about 600 humans have visited space. You’d join a small club of people who’ve done something truly extraordinary.

It would also be fun. Gravity—the natural force keeping you on the ground—mostly disappears in space. You could do spectacular midair somersaults that would make any gymnast jealous.

And the view! It’d be unbeatable. How cool would it be to take a selfie with the whole planet?

You’re not the only one who thinks this would be the trip of a lifetime. Hundreds of people have already reserved spots on future trips, including Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber. Who knows—maybe one of these superstars would be your spaceshipmate!

Space travel would be an out-of-this-world opportunity. So far, only about 600 humans have visited space. You would join a small club of people who have done something truly special.

It would be fun too. Gravity—the natural force that keeps you on the ground—mostly disappears in space. You could do midair backflips that would make any gymnast jealous.

And think of the view! You could take a selfie with the whole planet!

Many people want to visit space. Hundreds have already reserved spots on future trips. Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Justin Bieber are among them. You might get to travel with one of these superstars! 

Los viajes espaciales serían una oportunidad fuera de este mundo. Hasta ahora, solo unos 600 humanos han visitado el espacio. Te unirías a un pequeño club de personas que han hecho algo verdaderamente extraordinario.

También sería divertido. La gravedad, la fuerza natural que te mantiene en el suelo, desaparece principalmente en el espacio. Podrías hacer saltos mortales espectaculares en el aire que pondrían celoso a cualquier gimnasta.

¡Y la vista! Sería inmejorable. ¿Qué tan genial sería tomarse un selfi con todo el planeta?

No eres el único que piensa que ese sería un viaje único en la vida. Cientos de personas ya han reservado asientos en viajes futuros, entre ellos: Katy Perry, Lady Gaga y Justin Bieber. Quién sabe, ¡tal vez una de estas superestrellas sería tu compañero de nave espacial!