How to Become a Space Tourist: Get Your Ticket to Space
Space tourism, once a dream reserved for the elite, is now becoming more attainable for the rest of us. With the industry predicted to become a US $12.7 billion industry by 2031, the cosmos is no longer exclusively a playground for the wealthy. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the history of space tourism, the companies that offer space rides, and the various packages available for aspiring space tourists.
The concept of space tourism dates back to the 1960s when the Soviet Union sent non-astronauts into space, inspiring many to dream of their own cosmic journeys. However, it took time for technology and public interest to catch up and make space tourism feasible. In the late 1970s, NASA planned to send civilians into space to boost America’s image after the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, the Challenger disaster in 1986 put the civilian space program on pause for two years. Despite this setback, interest in space travel remained strong.
In 1990, the Soviet Union accepted $35 million from Tokyo Broadcasting Station to send a reporter to the Mir space station, laying the groundwork for modern space tourism. Then, in 2001, Dennis Tito made history as the first modern space tourist, paying $20 million to Space Adventures for a trip to the International Space Station (ISS).
Following Tito’s journey, six more individuals embarked on space tourism trips to the ISS, with one person making the trip twice. However, the 2010s were considered a “lost decade” for space tourism, with limited progress in this field. But in recent years, things have taken a turn. Blue Origin and SpaceX have emerged as major players in the space tourism scene.
Blue Origin offers suborbital flights using the New Shepard spacecraft. Passengers get to experience a 12-minute ride to the internationally recognized boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space, known as the Kármán line. The journey is quick and smooth, with passengers enjoying a few minutes of weightlessness before the capsule parachutes back down to Earth.
SpaceX, on the other hand, is not a dedicated space tourism company. However, they have sent more people into space than anyone else. Their Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket shuttle astronauts to and from the ISS. The company has also facilitated private manned missions into orbit, allowing more individuals to experience space travel.
Another prominent player in the space tourism industry is Virgin Galactic. They offer suborbital rides aboard their SpaceShipTwo spaceplane. Passengers experience a 90-minute journey, reaching an altitude of 50 kilometers above sea level. They get to enjoy a few minutes of weightlessness before descending back to Earth.
Aside from these major players, there are other companies worth mentioning. Axiom Space offers a 10-day trip to the ISS, allowing passengers to stay in the orbital lab for a week. The price for this experience is $55 million per seat. Orion Span aims to be the first to offer luxury accommodations in space with their Aurora Station, while Boeing sells seats to space tourists for future missions through their partnership with NASA. Zero 2 Infinity, based in Barcelona, focuses on green space travel by using balloon technology to launch their zero-emission craft.
While space tourism may still seem like a luxury reserved for the wealthy, it brings demand to manned spaceflight, pushing technology forward and facilitating scientific discoveries. As the industry continues to grow, we can expect more opportunities for aspiring space tourists to fulfill their dream of gazing at our planet from hundreds of miles above. The era of space tourism is upon us, and getting your ticket to space is no longer an impossible feat.
