Insurance groups met at the World Space Risk Forum in Dubai last week, to discuss the prospects of space tourism, according to this ABC News report. The consensus was generally positive, reporting that the field is expected to be viable in the next two to three years.

I was struck by this comment by Laurent Lemaire of Elseco Limited:

'You're going to be sick, you're going to be shaken, it's not going to be pleasant. But when you stop in the silence and see the earth from above, it's probably something that's deeply fulfilling,' said Lemaire.

Um. It's going to be "unpleasant" in the same way that a rollercoaster ride is "unpleasant". It's all part of the experience! Besides, I'd hope Virgin would do something to address the resonance in the hybrid motor that was seen in part of the SS1 ascent. That's one of the advantages of a liquid-fuelled system -- a much smoother ride.

Former NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao also discussed the plans of Manx-based Excalibur Almaz at the forum.