Veteran NASA Astronaut Predicts Moon Habitats and Tourism Within Two Years

Veteran NASA astronaut Captain Winston Scott believes that humans could be back on the moon within two years, with the eventual goal of establishing permanent habitats and even hotels. Scott, who spent 27 years in military aviation and seven as a NASA astronaut, stated that people could be on the lunar surface by 2028, marking a new era of space exploration and potential tourism.

Scott envisions a future where the moon hosts permanent habitats, research facilities, and eventually schools, hospitals, and recreational areas. This vision aligns with the growing interest in space tourism, with companies like Virgin Galactic announcing new spaceship designs and startups like GRU Space planning lunar hotels by 2032. Scott predicts that initial tourist destinations will likely be in low Earth orbit, potentially utilizing inflatable habitats.

His perspective is informed by his own extensive experience in space, having logged over 24 days in orbit. Scott described the profound "overview effect" that viewing Earth from space can induce, noting how it fosters a sense of unity and perspective on global issues. He also highlighted the unique experience of observing weather patterns from above and the need for specialized equipment for space travel.

While acknowledging the inherent risks of space travel, Scott emphasized that safety precautions are paramount. He noted the decreasing cost of space access, comparing the current trajectory to the early days of aviation when only the wealthy could afford flights. He anticipates that as space travel expands, costs will continue to fall, making it accessible to a wider population.

"Spaceflight is paralleling the history of aviation," Scott stated. "I remember way back in the day, when only rich people could fly on an aeroplane. Nowadays, anybody can buy a ticket and take an aeroplane trip someplace. Well, the same thing's going to happen with space."

Scott suggested that for tourism, the focus will be on short, accessible trips for the average healthy person, rather than requiring extensive training. He is an ambassador for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which he describes as a place where the public can experience space without leaving Earth.