If ever there was a city that could make even the sun seem routine, it’s Baltimore—a charming concoction of cobblestone streets, historical artifacts, and yes, a harbor that flirts shamelessly with the broad Chesapeake Bay. But here’s the latest scoop: Baltimore isn’t just a great place for tantalizing crab cakes and line-ups of historical tales as long as your arm; it’s also a newly emerging hub for what’s floating every adventurous spirit’s boat—space tourism. For those who have already looked down on Earth from the heights of military planes or peered through the submarine windows beneath its oceans, the cosmos might be the next logical frontier. This one’s for you, dear service members, veterans, and your families: your next stop might just be beyond the sky.
Now, let’s start terrestrial before we go extraterrestrial. Baltimore has always been a city that celebrates its heroes, from the minute men of Fort McHenry who penned an anthem in the face of adversity, to the brave souls like you who served and continue to serve. So, as you think about stepping off this Earth and into the great beyond, let’s consider a few things you should know.
First, why Baltimore? It’s simple. Maryland’s history in aerospace and defense is a well-known secret. Baltimore is nestled in the aerospace belt with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in nearby Laurel and Ellicott City, respectively. The region is filled with aerospace engineers and astronomers who think of space travel like most of us think of a summer road trip. Couple that with access at BWI Marshall Airport, a facility well acquainted with military logistics, and you’ve got a launchpad that’s simply out of this world.
Secondly, while space travel still costs more than a month’s supply of your favorite MREs, Baltimore offers various ways to feed your newfound cosmic hunger at a fraction of the price. The Space Telescope Science Institute offers free public talks about the wonders of the universe. And for the hands-on explorers, don yourself in a blue space suit at the nearby Clark School of Engineering, where flight simulators offer you a slice of celestial pie without the concern of floating away from your luggage.
And what of the lighter side of Baltimore, should you prefer to stay grounded for a bit longer? There’s the primal delight of cracking open a crab shell at one of the Inner Harbor’s seafood joints, or the visceral pleasure of visiting Fort McHenry, where even the air seems to carry a tune. These attractions are the kind that remind you of the joys of terra firma, even as you contemplate leaving it.
Now, you may ask, “What about the practicalities?” You needn’t look further than the friendly folks at militaryfares.com, who offer deals as sterling as the chrome on an astronaut’s helmet. They’ll steer you through the buying process with the precision needed to rendezvous with the International Space Station.
So whether you intend just to browse the stars or plan to become the latest member of the space-bound crowd, remember this: Baltimore is your gateway. Just think of it as the city offering the universe to those who’ve offered the world so much. Here’s to your next adventure—may it be as boundless as space itself.
Search Discounted Military Flights
