The idea came about due to the slogan “Red Bull gives you wings”. Here is how the original idea would have worked. After discussing with Red Bull, they provided a different approach to take that could make this a possibility.
There are many companies out there fighting to bring space travel to the average person at an affordable price. The problem is that the industry is not making progress in a timely manner. In an attempt to facilitate space travel as a reality to the masses Red Bull would sponsor flights into space to those who drink Red Bull Space Edition and are selected as winners.
The idea would be to market the Red Bull Space Edition and donate a portion of the profits to help energize the space industry and provide a competition between the companies to see who can successfully and safely put a person into space and return and do so on a constant basis. Red Bull would select four companies (or more or less) that they believe have the greatest potential to achieve success and split an agreed upon percentage of the profit made from the sales of the Red Bull Space edition equally with those companies to help encourage the race to space. With Red Bulls contribution, other companies may follow suit and also start to invest in and help fund the effort which would only speed up the process and help the world to see space travel become a reality even sooner.
Then, the first company to achieve 20 successful flights with no disasters or technical flaws that could jeopardize a person’s safety would win the sole contract of Red Bull. Red Bull would then sponsor 1 or more flights into space per year. Flight participants will be selected from those who purchase and register their cans with Red Bull Space Flight program via a QR code or number that would be on each can. Each number registered is a chance to win the flight into space.
As the cost for tickets will still be more expensive than the average person can afford, with the cost being around $200,000 or more per ticket for a short ride to the edge of space and back, the idea of paying for a ride will still only go to those wealthy enough to afford such an experience. With this idea of utilizing Red Bull as a way to send people to space, the purchases of Red Bull Space edition at a cost of roughly $3.99 per can +/- would give an opportunity to all individuals who are interested in space travel and would allow everyone to feel that the experience of going to space is achievable without having to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is only a chance that they will be able to go, but a chance is nonetheless better than no chance at all.
Included in the cost of the ticket is the training that the individual would need to go through to determine if he/she is eligible for space travel as it does take a toll on the human body. Those who are selected to go into space will start the process of training to go into space and go through the medical/flight physical prior to proceeding forward. If they are not found healthy enough to proceed, Red Bull, to avoid any repercussions would see if they are healthy enough to obtain a pilot’s license instead and would then pay for the individual to attend flight school for private pilot only. If the person is also deemed not eligible to fly as a private pilot, Red Bull would then cash out the ticket value (minus amount paid for the physical and any training attended by the would-be candidate) as their reward for purchasing and drinking Red Bull products.
If the person selected is able to get through the physical and proceed to the flight, they will be seen off by a Red Bull team member(s) who will congratulate them on their selection for this wonderful experience. The event would be recorded for the participant to re-watch later and share with friends and family. The event could even be broadcast on Red Bull TV as a promotion for Red Bull as well.
Once the flight is underway, the team on the ground will get things ready for the return of the participant. Red Carpet treatment, photos, filmed take-off/landing, and presentation of a plaque and commemorative Red Bull Space Edition energy drink (different from the edition that is sold) that would only be given to those who get the ride into space. NASA would also have been contacted prior to this even and coordinated with to come out with the Red Bull Team as well so that upon the return of said individual, NASA could present that person with their astronaut wings. With that said, Red Bull now officially does give “you” wings. Along with an experience that will rival anything else the world can provide.
Now for what needs to happen to make this a reality. First, I need to start my own company and partner with another company that shares a similar vision in the commercialization of space travel and exploration for the masses. Then partner with a non-profit or for-profit org that could help with fund raisers to raise awareness in the community and help kids go to space camps, provide tours to space centers or other activities that promote the space industry. Become known in the community for community service and show how the company is benefiting those it serves. During this time the company would seek for government grants to help fund the research and development needed to get a space craft built and be capable of multiple trips into space. My desire is to get away from vertical lift and create a craft that takes off and lands like an airplane. A company known called XCOR was my inspiration for this type of development. I wish they were still around.
Once a craft is built or near completion I would reach out to Red Bull to show them the progress made and again approach them with the idea of helping make the idea of providing space travel to all with the concept of a Red Bull sponsorship through sales of the Space Edition energy drink and they would consider it.
It's definitely something that may just happen in the future, so be on the look out for those Red Bull Space Edition energy drinks.