Cosmica's founder Hans L.D.G. Starlife says he must be very sought after in the space tourism business, as this was the second time he has inspired copycats in the industry. First time was when Richard Branson - just weeks after corresponding with Mr. Starlife regarding his group Starlife Galactic - named his space firm Virgin Galactic.

Please note that we have no ties to this "fake" Cosmica websites, or any other services on the Web imitating our successful concept. The genuine, original Cosmica website - as has been the case since our formation back in January 2001 - can be found on Cosmica.org, along with a mirror site on Cosmica.info. Our Cosmica does not provide 5-minute sub-orbital spaceflights for a limited selection of wealthy people, but low-cost ways to interact with the cosmos for the common citizen!

Cosmica and its staff and managers are not responsible for any consequences or economic losses caused by your interaction with these sites, which will be solely at your own risk.

Space Tourism worsens Climate Change?

Climate change caused by black carbon, also known as soot, emitted during a decade of commercial space flight would be comparable to that from current global aviation, researchers estimate.

The findings, reported recently in Geophysical Research Letters, suggest that emissions from 1,000 private rocket launches a year would persist high in the stratosphere, potentially altering global atmospheric circulation and distributions of ozone. The simulations show that the changes to Earth's climate could increase polar surface temperatures and reduce polar sea ice by 5–15%.

"There are fundamental limits to how much material human beings can put into orbit without having a significant impact," says Martin Ross, an atmospheric scientist. Commercial rockets often burn a mixture of kerosene and liquid oxygen. But some private spaceflight companies may soon use a more economical 'hybrid' rocket engine that emits more black carbon, Ross said.

We at Cosmica only launches digital content and small objects on scientific missions that would have been launched anyway, or which is transmitted by radio waves, and is therefore seen as a clean and sound way to interact with the universe. Also, our content leaves Earth altogether, there is no return trip.

Space tourism companies such as XCOR and Virgin Galactic however, are now being targeted by many environmentally concerned citizens, who suggest their short "roller-coaster" pleasure rides up & down through the atmosphere is irresponsible and should be forbidden until non-chemical launch systems has been developed - something which is still far into the future.