Augmented Reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have something in common with space travel. They can also alter our perception of the world. Now two companies, Rewind, an immersive content studio and In Space Missions, a space industry corporation, have formed SpaceTime Enterprises. They intend to launch several satellites that will have cameras capable broadcasting real-time immersive video footage of the Earth. The satellites will even be able to overlay meteorological systems, atmospheric phenomenon, celestial bodies and other information to make for a total immersion experience. The only thing anyone will need to access this view will be VR/AR goggles.

This technology will improve on NASA’s Exoplanet Travel Bureau through real images being projected back to earth in real time. This means that in addition to being able to use this technology for simple enjoyment, it can also be used for real life practical missions such as those involving the environment and different ecosystems.

Executives at Rewind and In-Space Missions have expressed the desire to make virtual space tourism available to everyone. Towards this effort, they hope to be able to soon mass produce the technology making this possible. In an interview, CEO of In-Space Missions said, “We want it to become commonplace to ‘be’ in space because by being in space you actually connect with the planet.”

The company has obtained $3 million of the needed funding, which will allow the first satellite to be launched in the fall of 2019. Onboard will be several cameras capable of delivering images of the entire Earth at the same resolution as what would be perceived in space. With the VR/AR goggles in place it will seem like you are looking out of the window of the International Space Station and viewing whatever the satellite is flying over at the time. The AR component will be the experience of feeling stabilized indoors on the space station which is merged with the person’s real life surroundings, while the VR component will be the perception of being in outer space.

With more satellites being launched and a growing database the augmented reality function will increase such that within the next five years the company plans to provide views of any place on Earth in real time. At this point, the users won’t be limited to feeling like they are attached to the satellites. Instead, it will be possible to travel around the planet and focus in on different areas based on individual interests. For example, environmental concerns or scientific endeavors can be explored and measurements of the earth can be taken or weather patterns can be tracked from a global perspective.

The future of virtual and augmented space tourism is almost here. SpaceVR, a company based in San Francisco, has already launched a test satellite. It is docked at the International Space Station waiting to be deployed. Earth-i, a UK-based corporation launched a test satellite the beginning of 2018. They have already posted high definition videos from space of airplanes taking off and cars on highways.

The companies that are developing virtual and augmented space tourism technology continue to take advantage of developments in regular virtual tourism, exploring advanced sensory capabilities and shared experiences. If SpaceTime Enterprises and the other companies succeed in making these views as widely available as they hope, we will all have the potential to travel to the stars and feel like we are really there.