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Space tourists, from left, Jon Goodwin, Anastasia Mayers and her mother, Keisha Schahaff boarding their Virgin Galactic flight.

Virgin Galactic successfully flies tourists to space for first time

Six individuals were aboard VSS Unity space plane, including first mother-daughter duo to venture to space together

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity, the reusable rocket-powered space plane carrying the company’s first crew of tourists to space, successfully launched and landed on Thursday.

The mission, known as Galactic 02, took off shortly after 11am ET from Spaceport America in New Mexico .

Aboard the spacecraft were six individuals total – the space plane’s commander and former Nasa astronaut CJ Sturckow, the pilot Kelly Latimer, as well as Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor who trained the crew before the flight.

The spacecraft also carryied three private passengers, including the health and wellness coach Keisha Schahaff and her 18-year-old daughter, Anastasia Mayers, both of whom are Antiguan.

According to Space.com, Schahaff won her seat onboard the Galactic 02 as part of a fundraising competition by Space for Humanity, a non-profit organization seeking to democratize space travel. Mayers is studying philosophy and physics at Aberdeen University in Scotland. Together, Schahaff and Mayers are the first mother-daughter duo to venture to space together.

'Completely surreal': Tourists recount flight to edge of space on Virgin Galactic – video

“When I was two years old, just looking up to the skies, I thought, ‘How can I get there?’ But, being from the Caribbean, I didn’t see how something like this would be possible. The fact that I am here, the first to travel to space from Antigua, shows that space really is becoming more accessible,” Schahaff said in a statement last month.

The mission also marks the most women flown in a single mission to space.

Onboard the flight was also the former Olympian Jon Goodwin, who participated in the 1972 Olympics in Munich as a canoeist. At 80 years old, Goodwin was the second passenger with Parkinson’s disease and the first Olympian to embark on a trip to space.

“When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, I was determined not to let it stand in the way of living life to the fullest. And now for me to go to space with Parkinson’s is completely magical,” he said in a news release. “I hope this inspires all others facing adversity and shows them that challenges don’t have to inhibit or stop them from pursuing their dreams,” Goodwin said .

Galactic 02 is a suborbital flight. However, despite VSS Unity not reaching orbit, the trajectory allows passengers to experience several minutes of weightlessness at an altitude high enough for them to see the Earth’s curvature, Space.com explains .

Following liftoff, Virgin Galactic’s carrier plane VMS Eve transported VSS Unity to an altitude of about 44,300ft. Eve then dropped Unity, which then fired its own rocket motor and ascended to suborbital space. Passengers onboard experienced approximately 3Gs.

A still image taken from a video from Virgin Galactic shows the launch of Virgin Galactic’s private astronaut mission Galactic 02 on 10 August.

Live footage inside the spacecraft showed the passengers unstrapping themselves from their seats and peering out down to Earth through the windows as they floated throughout the spacecraft.

In a press conference after the flight, Schahaff recounted her experience, saying: “Looking at Earth was the most amazing … It was so comfortable. It really was the best ride ever. I would love to do this again.

“This experience has given me this beautiful feeling that if I can do this, I can do anything,” she added.

Mayers, who is the second-youngest person to go to space, said: “I was shocked at the things that you feel. You are so much more connected to everything than you would expect to be. You felt like a part of the team, a part of the ship, a part of the universe, a part of Earth. It was incredible and I’m still starstruck.”

To Goodwin, the experience was far more dramatic than he expected.

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“The pure acceleration, Mach 3 [2,301mph, 3,378 ft per second] in eight and a half seconds was completely surreal. The re-entry was a lot more dramatic than I imagined it would be. In fact, I would have said it was out of control if I didn’t know anything different,” he said.

Anastasia Mayers looks out of the windows while in space.

“It was a completely surreal experience. But the most impressive thing was looking at Earth from space. The pure clarity was very moving, quite surreal. It was without a doubt the most exciting day of my life,” he added.

In a statement released following the flight, Sturckow said: “It is a surreal and humbling experience to have flown Unity today. The wonder and excitement of spaceflight never loses its magic.”

Latimer echoed similar sentiments, saying: “In my entire career, from the Air Force Academy to being a test pilot for Nasa, nothing tops what I have just experienced at the controls of VSS Unity. Going to space today fulfilled an ambition I’ve had since I was a child.”

The Virgin Galactic founder, Sir Richard Branson, also hailed the flight, tweeting: “Today we flew three incredible private passengers to space: Keisha Schahaff, Anastatia Mayers and Jon Goodwin. Congratulations Virgin Galactic commercial astronauts 011, 012 and 013 – welcome to the club!”

Despite Galactic 02 being Virgin Galactic’s second commercial spaceflight mission, it is the first flight to carry private customers. In June, Galactic 01 carried three crew members from the Italian air force and the National Research Council of Italy.

In July 2021, Branson traveled to space and back onboard the VSS Unity, a mission that marked the billionaire’s entry into the new era of space tourism helmed by other billionaires including the SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, and Blue Origin founder, Jeff Bezos.

According to Virgin Galactic, the company has already booked a backlog of about 800 customers. Tickets have ranged from $250,000 to $450,000.

Galactic 03, the company’s third commercial spaceflight, is planned for September.

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August 10, 2023

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Virgin Galactic's first space tourists finally soar, an Olympian and a mother-daughter duo

by SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN and MARCIA DUNN

Virgin Galactic's first space tourists finally soar, an Olympian and a mother-daughter duo

Virgin Galactic rocketed to the edge of space with its first tourists Thursday, a former British Olympian who bought his ticket 18 years ago and a mother-daughter duo from the Caribbean.

The space plane glided back to a runway landing at Spaceport America in the New Mexico desert, after a brief flight that gave passengers a few minutes of weightlessness.

This first private customer flight had been delayed for years; its success means Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic can now start offering monthly rides, joining Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Elon Musk's SpaceX in the space tourism business.

"That was by far the most awesome thing I've ever done in my life," said Jon Goodwin, who competed in canoeing in the 1972 Olympics.

Goodwin, 80, was among the first to buy a Virgin Galactic ticket in 2005 and feared, after later being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, that he'd be out of luck. Since then he's climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and cycled back down, and said he hopes his spaceflight shows others with Parkinson's and other illnesses that "it doesn't stop you doing things."

Ticket prices were $200,000 when Goodwin signed up. The cost is now $450,000.

He was joined on the flight by sweepstakes winner Keisha Schahaff, 46, a health coach from Antigua, and her daughter, Anastatia Mayers, 18, a student at Scotland's University of Aberdeen. They high-fived and pumped their fists as the spaceport crowd cheered their return.

Virgin Galactic's first space tourists finally soar, an Olympian and a mother-daughter duo

"A childhood dream has come true," said Schahaff, who took pink Antiguan sand up with her. Added her daughter: "I have no words. The only thought I had the whole time was 'Wow!' "

With the company's astronaut trainer and one of the two pilots, it marked the first time women outnumbered men on a spaceflight, four to two.

Cheers erupted from families and friends watching below when the craft's rocket motor fired after it was released from the twin-fuselage aircraft that had carried it aloft. The rocket ship's portion of the flight lasted about 15 minutes and it reached 55 miles (88 kilometers) high.

It was Virgin Galactic's seventh trip to space since 2018, but the first with a ticket-holder. Branson, the company's founder, hopped on board for the first full-size crew ride in 2021. Italian military and government researchers soared in June on the first commercial flight. About 800 people are currently on Virgin Galactic's waiting list, according to the company.

Virgin Galactic's first space tourists finally soar, an Olympian and a mother-daughter duo

In contrast to Virgin Galactic's plane-launched rocket ship, the capsules used by SpaceX and Blue Origin are fully automated and parachute back down.

Like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin aims for the fringes of space, quick ups-and-downs from West Texas. Blue Origin has launched 31 people so far, but flights are on hold following a rocket crash last fall. The capsule, carrying experiments but no passengers, landed intact.

SpaceX, is the only private company flying customers all the way to orbit, charging a much heftier price, too: tens of millions of dollars per seat. It's already flown three private crews. NASA is its biggest customer, relying on SpaceX to ferry its astronauts to and from the International Space Station. since 2020.

People have been taking on adventure travel for decades, the risks underscored by the recent implosion of the Titan submersible that killed five passengers on their way down to view the Titanic wreckage. Virgin Galactic suffered its own casualty in 2014 when its rocket plane broke apart during a test flight, killing one pilot. Yet space tourists are still lining up, ever since the first one rocketed into orbit in 2001 with the Russians.

Virgin Galactic's first space tourists finally soar, an Olympian and a mother-daughter duo

Branson, who lives in the British Virgin Islands, watched Thursday's flight from a party in Antigua. He was joined by the country's prime minister, as well as Schahaff's mother and other relatives.

"Welcome to the club," he told the new spacefliers via X, formerly Twitter.

Several months ago, Branson held a virtual lottery to establish a pecking order for the company's first 50 customers—dubbed the Founding Astronauts. Virgin Galactic said the group agreed Goodwin would go first, given his age and his Parkinson's.

Correction note: This story has been updated to correct introductory price to $200,000, not $250,000.

© 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Virgin Galactic flies its first tourists to the edge of space

Richard Branson’s company expects to begin offering monthly trips to customers on its winged space plane.

Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered plane Unity 22, flies on its way to the edge of space after taking off from Spaceport America, near Truth or Consequences, N.M., US

Virgin Galactic has rocketed to the edge of space with its first tourists, including a former British Olympian who bought his ticket 18 years ago and a mother-daughter duo from the Caribbean.

The space plane glided back to a runway landing on Thursday at Spaceport America in the New Mexico desert after a brief flight that gave passengers a few minutes of weightlessness.

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Cheers erupted from families and friends watching from below when the craft’s rocket motor fired after it was released from the plane that had carried it aloft. The rocket ship reached about 88km (55 miles) high.

Richard Branson’s company expects to begin offering monthly trips to customers on its winged space plane, joining Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the space tourism business.

Virgin Galactic passenger Jon Goodwin, who was among the first to buy a ticket in 2005, said he had faith that he would someday make the trip. The 80-year-old athlete – he competed in canoeing in the 1972 Olympics – has Parkinson’s disease and wants to be an inspiration to others.

“I hope it shows them that these obstacles can be the start rather than the end to new adventures,” he said in a statement.

Ticket prices were $200,000 when Goodwin signed up. The cost is now $450,000.

He was joined by sweepstakes winner Keisha Schahaff, 46, a health coach from Antigua, and her daughter, Anastatia Mayers, 18, a student at Scotland’s University of Aberdeen. Also on board: two pilots and the company’s astronaut trainer.

Space tourists, from left, Anastatia Mayers, Jon Goodwin and Keisha Schahaff pose for photos before boarding their Virgin Galactic flight at Spaceport America, near Truth or Consequences, N.M., US

Space tourists lining up

It was Virgin Galactic’s seventh trip to space since 2018 but the first with a ticket-holder. Branson, the company’s founder, hopped on board for the first full-size crew ride in 2021. Italian military and government researchers soared aloft in June on the first commercial flight . About 800 people are currently on Virgin Galactic’s waiting list, according to the company.

Virgin Galactic’s rocket ship launches from the belly of an aeroplane, not from the ground, and requires two pilots in the cockpit. Once the mothership reaches about 15km (10 miles), the space plane is released and fires its rocket motor to make the final push to just over 80km (50 miles) up. Passengers can unstrap from their seats, float around the cabin for a few minutes and take in the sweeping views of Earth before the space plane glides back home and lands on a runway.

In contrast, the capsules used by SpaceX and Blue Origin are fully automated and parachute back down to Earth.

Like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin aims for the fringes of space , quick ups-and-downs from West Texas. Blue Origin has launched 31 people so far, but flights have been on hold since a rocket crash in September. The capsule, carrying experiments but no passengers, landed intact.

SpaceX is the only private company flying customers all the way into orbit, charging a much heftier price, too: tens of millions of dollars per seat. It’s already flown three private crews. NASA is its biggest customer, relying on SpaceX to ferry its astronauts to and from the International Space Station since 2020.

People have been taking on adventure travel for decades, the risks underscored by the recent implosion of the Titan submersible , which killed five passengers on their way down to view the Titanic wreckage. Virgin Galactic suffered its own casualty in 2014 when its rocket plane broke apart during a test flight, killing one pilot. Yet space tourists are still lining up, ever since the first one rocketed into orbit in 2001 with the Russians.

Branson, who lives in the British Virgin Islands, watched Thursday’s flight from a party in Antigua. He held a virtual lottery to establish a pecking order for the company’s first 50 customers – called the Founding Astronauts. Virgin Galactic said the group agreed Goodwin would go first, given his age and his Parkinson’s.

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

Space Shuttle simulator Space Camp USA

Space Tourism: How to Visit Space as a Tourist

Last updated: August 28, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

Despite the name of this blog, I have been distressingly earth bound for all of my years thus far. Given recent developments in space exploration technology though, hope is not yet lost for the dream of going into space as a tourist – without having to shell out the millions of dollars that past tourists have paid!

In today’s post, I’m going to talk about a few things. I’m going to cover where space travel & exploration is today.

I’m going to talk about what options we have now, and may have in the future, for getting into space as a tourist. And I’m also going to cover a few ways those of us stuck on Earth without access to a giant pile of cash can still get our space fix around the world!

The State of Space Travel as a Tourist in 2023

Spaceship balloon by Laurence Norah

Huge strides are happening right now in space exploration, particularly with private companies looking at opening up space to your average person. Admittedly, right now, space tourism isn’t exactly accessible.

Up to 2009, only 7 people made it into space as tourists, all travelling with the Russian Space Agency, and all paying in excess of USD $20 million.

These weren’t exactly hop-on hop-off trips either, with the participants undergoing months of training, and many of them actively running their own experiments in space. So to call them space tourists is perhaps a bit of a misnomer.

However, things have now changed, and trips into space are becoming more affordable. Admittedly, they aren’t exactly “budget”, but they are less than $20 million a go.

So what’s changed?

Well, put simply, private investment. Whilst massive government organisations like NASA , the Russian Space Agency and the European Space Agency are always researching and expanding their space exploration efforts, their focus isn’t exactly on getting folks like you and me into space – at least not in the near term. Their focus is on long term scientifically focused exploration missions, with perhaps the most exciting being NASA’s Journey to Mars .

Other organisations though, see the potential for space based tourism as a way to generate funds and publicity for their projects. There are three main players in the space tourism business right now – Virgin Galactic , SpaceX and Blue Origin .

Let’s take a look at the main players with whom you have a real chance of getting into space within the next few years.

How to Go To Space As A Tourist

Other than flagging down a passing UFO Ford Prefect style, or signing up to be an astronaut with a government agency, getting into space is a bit tricky. But that’s all changing, and these are the companies with whom you are most likely to be able to travel into space.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History%252C Alamogordo by Laurence Norah

1. Virgin Galactic

Part of the Virgin Group headed up by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic currently offers sub-orbital flights to paying passengers aboard their SpaceShipTwo and SpaceShipThree craft.

Sub-orbital means that you’re not high enough to actually orbit the earth, but as the goal you do pass the 100km line that marks the edge of space, you will technically be in space, and also experience weightlessness. Hurrah!

The good news is that as of June 2023, commercial space flights have actually commenced. Trips are scheduled to go monthly, and you can now buy tickets for a voyage into space with Virgin Galactic. They are currently on sale for $450,000.

Admittedly, $450,000 USD isn’t exactly small change, but it’s a lot less expensive than the $20 million that previous space travellers have paid. For your money, you get three days of training at Spaceport America in New Mexico, a flight into space, a somewhat incredible view and a period of weightlessness. Not too bad.

2. Blue Origin

Owned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is a private company which initially appeared to be focusing on sub-orbital flight, much like Virgin Galactic.

Unlike Virgin Galactic though, which uses a combination of a normal plane and a rocket plane to achieve the necessary space altitude, Blue Origin are using more conventional rocket technology, with a focus on re-usable components that cut the cost of launches.

Other than the spacecraft, the experience is largely the same – a sub-orbital flight that comprises a few days of training in Texas, a journey lasting around 11 minutes to up beyond the 100km line, weightlessness and some incredible views.

The technology to do this will look familiar to any fans of existing space flight technologies, including the capsule that returns to Earth by parachute, meaning that there are fewer technical hurdles to overcome.

As of 2021, flights have commenced on the New Shepherd, with Jeff Bezos being the first into space. The ticket for the first commercially available seat in the July 2021 launch was auctioned off for a cool $28 million.

Since that launch, there have been a number of flights with paying customers.

Regular pricing isn’t set, although it’s currently rumored to be around $1 million per seat. A timeframe for general availability of commercial flights isn’t yet known. You can sign up to be kept informed and updated however.

Perhaps even more excitingly than the New Shepherd program is its successor – the New Glenn program. This should offer longer duration, possibly even orbital flights, although details are currently sparse on the ground, with operations aimed to launch in late 2024. We do know however that priority on these trips will be given to New Shepherd customers.

Last in our trio of serious contenders for firms that will take your money and send you into space in the next few years is SpaceX .

SpaceX is owned by Elon Musk, who is particularly famous for being the CEO and co-founder of Tesla Inc, the electric car and battery manufacturer, amongst other things.

SpaceX largely focuses on commercial launch capabilities, with a particular focus on reusable rocket technologies that bring down the cost of putting payloads into orbit.

They’ve been hugely successful in this field, with multiple achievements, including being the first privately funded company to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft.

They were also the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and have since flown many missions to the ISS.

Whilst the majority of their work is on commercial and government contracts for putting things like satellites into orbit, some recent developments have put SpaceX firmly on the space tourism map.

First, in 2017 they announced that they had been contracted by two private individuals who want to go on a trip around the moon. This was originally due to launch in 2018, but has been postponed until at least 2024. It will be by far the most ambitious space tourism endeavor to date by any company, and you can read more about the project here .

SpaceX are also starting to sell tickets on their Crew Dragon capsule, which is the launch system NASA is using to shuttle astronauts to the ISS. These are not generally available, but a 3-day mission consisting entirely of tourists took place in 2021, with further missions expected. These are still priced in the tens of millions of dollars though, so don’t bank on these becoming affordable for a while to come.

Next, SpaceX is actively working on technology to colonise Mars, with a lofty goal of setting up a permanent colony on the red planet, home to over a million people, within the next 100 years.

Whilst the current estimate of cost for such a ride is in the region of $10 billion USD per person, SpaceX is aiming to bring that down to $100,000 through the development of their Interplanetary Transport System . This won’t happen in the near-term, but by the end of the century tourism to Mars might be a real possibility, with lunar and earth-orbital flights the norm by then.

4. Other Contenders

So those are the main players who, in my opinion, have the most realistic chances of taking you to space in the coming decade. But they aren’t the only players in the space tourism arena! Here are a few others to be aware of who might give you a chance of getting off Planet Earth.

Bigelow Aerospace: Bigelow Aerospace are actually a pretty major name when it comes to space technology, and if you ever happen to find yourself in a hotel on the moon or floating around the Earth, it’s likely going to be inside one of their inflatable habitats.

This isn’t theoretical either, they’ve got an inflatable capsule attached to the International Space Station already undergoing feasibility testing. Owner Robert Bigelow made his fortune in hotels, and he sees no reason why we can’t have them in space too.

Space Perspective: Space Perspective are taking a slightly different approach to everyone else, in that their route to space is to fly passengers 100,000ft above the ground in capsule carried aloft by a gigantic hydrogen filled balloon.

Ok, so 100,000ft isn’t exactly space, but it is high enough to see the curvature of the earth. It’s likely to be a more sedate and relaxed experience as well, compared to firing yourself into space on some sort of rocket at least. And whilst experiencing zero-gee isn’t going to be on the cards, you should be able to enjoy the views from the wraparound windows whilst enjoying a tipple from the on-board bar!

Tickets for 2024 flights have already sold out, but you can book for 2025 at a cost of $125,000 per person.

Boeing: Boeing are currently under contract with NASA to build a crew transport vehicle that would be compatible with a number of rocket systems, primarily for the purpose of shuttling astronauts to the ISS. It was originally due to start those flights in late 2018. However, testing did not start until late 2019, and the current timetable for crewed flights is now 2023.

As part of their contract, this CST-100 Starliner was specified to include one seat specifically for the purposes of space tourism , allowing one passenger to just tag along for the ride as it were. For a price, naturally. That price is currently unknown, although the original goal was to have it price competitive with the Russian Space Agency, so don’t expect it to come under the tens of millions mark!

Mars One: Mars One was an organisation with a goal of establishing a permanent human colony on Mars by the year 2035. Announced in 2012, it encouraged members of the public to sign up for the one-way mission, which resulted in over 200,000 applicants. That was whittled down to 100, and then a final 24 candidates.

Unfortunately, the project was dogged by criticism, particularly around the technical and financial feasibility of the plan. Finally, Mars One entered administration in 2019.

Moonlit Bisti Badlands New Mexico by Laurence Norah

The Best Space Sights and Activities on Earth

Ok, so based on all the above, you’re probably realising that space is still a pretty tough place to get to right now, and even over the next few years it’s still going to be pretty darn expensive for a fairly brief jaunt.

Don’t fret though. Planet Earth is a pretty cool place, and there are a lot of space-related activities you can take part in without re-mortgaging your house and strapping yourself to a rocket.

Here are a few places you can learn about space and space travel in the meantime! Let’s look at these.

1. Active Spaceports

Whilst you might not get into space right now, you can still visit a spaceport and dream of the future! I’ve picked three spaceports for you to think about visiting.

Spaceport America%252C New Mexico by Laurence Norah

Spaceport America, USA. Set in the high New Mexican desert, Spaceport America is the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, meaning it’s designed for commercial users. Yes, people like you and me. It’s the home base of Virgin Galactic, and is where that company will be operating from when they finally launch their space tourism flights. SpaceX also conduct some of their testing here. Unfortunately, you still can’t board a space trip here, but it’s a worthwhile place to visit, if only to get a tantalising glimpse of a possible future.

Kennedy Space Center, USA. Found in Florida, Kennedy Space Center is the main launch pad for NASA’s operations, and is where Apollo and Space shuttle launches took place. It’s a massive facility, spanning 144,000 acres. There’s a visitor centre on site, where you can learn all about NASA and it’s space operations, see an actual space shuttle and even experience a simulated space shuttle launch. Kennedy Space Center is still very much an active launch site, and you can also come here to watch rockets blast off into space – see their website for the launch schedule .

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. One of the world’s most famous spaceports, and certainly the oldest and largest, Baikonur Cosmodrome is where the majority of Russia’s space program has operated from, including the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin. It’s still very active, and you can in theory visit, however prices are steep for a one day tour ($700+), and can only be arranged via a specialist tour operator in a complex process that needs to be booked weeks in advance.

2. Space Museums

As well as active space ports, there are a lot of museums around the world dedicated to sharing man’s activities in space. Here are a few of the best.

New Mexico Space Museum by Laurence Norah

Space Center Houston, USA. The official visitor centre for NASA’s center for human spaceflight activities, Space Center Houston is an excellent place to come and learn all about NASA’s efforts around getting people into space. It has a number of artifacts from our explorations to date, including a lunar module replica and various actual capsules that have been into space. Tip – if you’re visiting a few sights in Houston, you can save money by investing in a CityPASS card which will get you into the Space Center as well as a number of other attractions in the city.

New Mexico Museum of Space History, USA. Found in Alamogordo in southern New Mexico, the five storey New Mexico Museum of Space History is full of information about man’s efforts to get into space, with everything from information on early rocket technology through to more modern day exhibits including a space shuttle landing simulator. It’s also home to the International Hall of Space Fame, a planetarium, and offers fantastic views across the White Sands National Monument.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum , USA . Found in Washington, D.C., this enormous museum is home to the world’s largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world, including the Apollo 11 module and clothing worn by astronauts. With over 60,000 objects on display, you won’t run out of things to look at!

The National Space Centre, UK. Both a museum and an educational resource, the National Space Center in Leicester, UK, is home to six interactive galleries and the UK’s largest planetarium. A highlight though is the 42 metre high Rocket Tower , which houses a number of upright rockets, really giving you a feel for the enormity of these machines.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Found in Huntsville, Alabama, right next door to NASA Marshall. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center has loads of information on the history of space flight, including two full size Saturn V rockets! This is also where you can attend Space Camp , a hands-on multi day training program for all ages, which will take you through a range of training similar to that which real astronauts do!

3. Space Themed Sights

We may be currently fairly stuck on the planet, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still hurtling through space, a small rock in a vast galaxy. Here are a few ways to help remind ourselves that there’s more out there than our horizon.

Wolfe Creek Meteor Crater by Laurence Norah

Meteor Craters. On our journey through space we regularly bump into errant lumps of space debris – around 100 tons a day in fact. Most often these lumps are so small (dust-specks really) that they just burn up in our atmosphere, creating beautiful shooting stars. However, anything larger than a marble has a chance of making to earth, although there are a lot of factors at work.

According to NASA , it’s the lumps that are around the size of a football field and up that make the most impact, and one of these hits us every couple of thousand of years. They can cause significant damage and leave a lasting impact. Two worth mentioning that you can visit are the aptly named “ Meteor Crater ” in Arizona, USA, and the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater in Western Australia. Both of these are around a kilometre in diameter, meaning you can see the whole structure with the naked eye and really get a feel for the force required to create such a hole. Of course you can also find smaller ones all over the world.

Star Gazing. You might not be able to get to the stars, but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate them. I always find that just lying back and staring into the vastness of space from a really dark location is a very powerful experience. You need to be somewhere far away from light pollution to get the best views of the night sky – there are dark sky preserves (and even festivals !) where you can get a great view, otherwise, head as far away from the lights as you can and just look up.

4. Giant Telescopes

How about if you can’t get into space, you try just looking at it through a really big magnifying glass and pretend you’re there? It might be as close as you can currently get to space for free, whilst also being wowed by humanities technological accomplishments. Below are four locations around the world where you can learn all about the art of looking into space. Of course, there are many more sites around the world and you can find a list of some of the major telescopes here although not all can be visited by the public.

Very large array New Mexico by Laurence Norah

The Very Large Array, USA. Far out in the New Mexico wilderness, the Very Large Array is one of the world’s largest and most impressive radio telescopes. Unlike an optical telescope, which look at visible light waves, a radio telescope looks at radio waves, and from that we can learn all sorts of things from how black holes are formed through to the creation of the universe itself. These radio waves require a very large telescope, which is why the VLA is actually made up of 27 dishes, which work together to capture radio waves. There’s a small visitor centre and self-guided walking trail, and there are guided tours on the first Saturday of the month. See the official website for more details.

Jodrell Bank, UK. If you’re in the UK , then a trip to Jodrell Bank is a good option for viewing impressively large radio telescopes. In fact, Jodrell Bank is home to the world’s third largest steerable radio telescope, as well as a number of other active telescopes. There’s a visitor centre where you can learn all about the telescopes, and all sorts of other space-related things.

The Very Large Telescope, Chile. Way up high in the mountains of Chile is the world’s most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory – the aptly named “ Very Large Telescope ”. Operated by the European Southern Observatory, this is the most impressive optical instrument in the world to date, consisting of four main mirrors that are over eight meters in diameter, as well as four 1.8m diameter mirrors. These work together to create a final image, and the telescope is powerful enough that it would be able to make out a cars headlights on the moon. It’s fairly remote, what with it being on a mountain top in Chile, but you can visit – check here for more information on tours.

Green Bank Observatory, USA – At time of writing, Green Bank Observatory is home to the worlds largest steerable radio telescope, the Green Bank Telescope. Constructed in 2001, it’s one of the newest US telescopes, and with a total collecting area of 2.3 acres, is certainly impressive to behold. You can take a tour of the observatory, and there are also weekly and monthly events at the site.

5. Extra-terrestrial spots

If you’re really desperate to get off planet, you might want to frequent a location which has a history of extra-terrestrial activity such as UFO sightings. Whilst E.T. is yet to make formal contact, who knows, you might get lucky and have the chance to hop on a passing spaceship!

Jess Roswell by Laurence Norah

  Roswell, USA. If you want to learn about aliens, then the town of Roswell in New Mexico has definitely got to be on your list. It became famous as the alleged site of a huge government cover-up of a supposed alien spaceship crash at a nearby ranch property, and the town has since embraced it’s position as the world’s most famous UFO hotspot. There are a number of alien themed attractions here – we’d recommend visiting the Roswell UFO museum as a good starting point.

El Enladrillado, Chile. Central Chile is well known as a UFO spotting hotzone. So much so in fact, that the country’s national tourism board established a UFO trail, a 30km long designated trail in the Andes mountains that centres around the town of San Clemente. This is definitely a good place to come to spot UFO’s, although the national tourism authority is keen to stress that a sighting isn’t guaranteed.

Nullabor Plain, Australia. When I was travelling in Australia, I had a memorable evening out in the outback on the vast Nullabor Plain with a chap who was convinced he was regularly visited by aliens. He might have been on to something of course, with this region of Australia being particularly famous for UFO sightings. And if you don’t see a UFO, fear not, the star gazing here is pretty epic too!

HR Giger Museum, Switzerland. If you prefer your aliens of the fantastical science fiction type, then a visit to the HR Giger museum in Gruyères, Switzerland, should definitely be on your list. It’s home a large collection of works by Swiss artists HR Giger, who famously created the monsters from the sci-fi classic horror movie Alien (and its sequels). Definitely one for the sci-fi fans.

Further Reading for your Space Trip

Well, that was a lot about space. Hopefully you’ve learnt a bit about your options for getting into space as a tourist, as well as some slightly more cost-effective ways to get your space fix on! Here are a few resources that you might find useful.

  • Our favourite sights along the New Mexico Space Trail , USA. Plus a guide to attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta if you’re in New Mexico.
  • Our guide to visiting Jasper National Park for their annual Dark Sky Festival
  • A guide to attending Space Camp USA , as well as visiting the U.S Space and Rocket Center
  • Official websites for Virgin Galactic , Blue Origin and SpaceX , for when you’ve saved up enough for that ticket to space
  • The NASA Instagram feed , for mind blowing space images
  • John Glenn’s memoir, to give you an insight into what it was like to be the first American to orbit the earth.
  • Chris Hadfield’s book “ An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth ”, helping you understand how to make the impossible a reality, which seems like a good place to end this post!

G-Force simulator by Laurence Norah

Well, that was a lot to write about space travel and space tourism! We’re not quite there yet, but with the pace of developments I see no reason why, in the coming years and decades, that I won’t finally be able to realise my dream of heading up into space for real. Let me know in the comments if heading into space is a dream of yours!

Everything you need to know about how to get into space as a tourist, as well as details of the top earth-bound space-based attractions around the world!

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There are 4 comments on this post

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Lynn Magnuson says

17th February 2024 at 8:16 am

Traveling into space is something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a child. I remember sitting in class and I think it was the third grade and watching Alan Shepard blast off. I knew at that point that someday I wanted to do the same thing. It hasn’t happened yet, but as time goes by the chance to do so, becomes more and more a possibility. I hope someday I do get the chance.

I love your article. Very well written and very informative. Keep up the great writing. That’s another thing I share a passion for. Writing

Laurence Norah says

20th February 2024 at 1:45 am

I’m right there with you! I really hope you get the chance to get into space some day soon. It’s definitely getting closer as a possibility 🙂

Safe travels, be they earthbound or not!

roshmand says

2nd July 2023 at 6:57 pm

amazing poat. thanks

4th July 2023 at 9:39 am

thank you very much 🙂

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How to travel to space, Earth’s hottest new destination

Go boldly, but pack lightly.

The space just above our planet is booming . Off-world trips are rapidly increasing: 42 of the 51 commercial astronauts recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration left Earth within the past two years.

The FAA predicts their ranks will balloon in the next decade — which may also bring new destinations, such as a rotating space hotel whose construction, planners claim, will begin in 2026 — and some experts have expressed optimism that relatively affordable space travel could be possible by the middle of this century.

For now, though, costs remain enormous. A $450,000 ticket reserves a spot on Virgin Galactic’s space plane, which flies 50 miles above Earth — six times a passenger plane’s cruising altitude. Expect to pay even more to go higher. Blue Origin’s 11-minute journey by rocket, which reportedly cost more than $1 million, shoots above the 62-miles-high Kármán line, the generally agreed-upon boundary between Earth and space. Others spend days in space. In September 2021, four civilian Americans orbited for three days aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. No word on how much it cost them.

For $55 million , Axiom Space will send astronauts via a SpaceX rocket to the International Space Station, a laboratory that circles Earth once every 90 minutes. For two weeks last April, the ISS’s first Axiom crew members worked in the lab while forgoing proper showers.

The New Space Age

Space “ought to be on everybody’s bucket list,” said former NASA astronaut Michael López-Alegría , the Axiom Space vice president who commanded the April mission. “We’d be the first to admit that it’s not quite democratic yet, because it’s still pretty expensive, but we’ll get there.” The Houston-based company has already begun to build a segment of what will be a private space station.

Here’s how to pack and prep for Earth’s hottest new destination.

Getting ready

Training takes days to months. Axiom Space crew members spent at least 700 hours learning new tasks: how to run experiments, dock a transport vehicle to the ISS and respond to fires.

They also practiced on a centrifuge, the rapidly spinning machine that simulates the extreme acceleration of space travel. You don’t need to be in tiptop shape — floating in microgravity is effortless, López-Alegría said — but you will have to endure intense G-force as you exit and reenter the atmosphere.

You should be mentally prepared for a unique psychological experience called the overview effect , which occurs when people witness their home planet from above. “When we came back to Earth, I could not stop crying,” said aerospace PhD student Sara Sabry, founder of the Deep Space Initiative , who traveled to space last August via Blue Origin (whose founder, Jeff Bezos, owns The Washington Post).

Aboard SpaceX, you’ll wear spacesuits: sleek, pressurized white outfits with black-visored helmets. On Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin flights, the fit is closer to a jet pilot’s, with gear that’s not designed for loss of pressure. Sabry said her suit was comfy and custom-tailored. Under Armour makes the clothes — underwear, jumpsuit and zip-up boots — for Virgin Galactic, which founder Richard Branson wore in his July 2021 journey to space’s edge.

Going boldly, packing lightly

Space may be the one place you can fly without packing an ID or passport . “When we walk onto the vehicle, we’re wearing our spacesuits and pretty much nothing else,” López-Alegría said.

Expect to leave the rest of your worldly possessions on Earth, with a few exceptions. Sabry packed three pounds of mementos in a bag, including photographs and a single dirty sock belonging to her niece. On Inspiration4, the Earth-orbiting SpaceX mission, one astronaut brought his ukulele to serenade his teammates in the capsule.

Snapping selfies

Don’t plan on filling your Instagram feed with your space travels to make your friends jealous. You won’t have your phone.

On Sabry’s Blue Origin flight, a few people had a GoPro strapped to their wrists to capture video — especially of the three minutes of weightlessness.

The ISS provides cameras to use. Astronauts can browse the internet on the space station, but posting requires help. Pictures snapped in space are beamed to Earth, López-Alegría said, where someone on the ground uploads them to social media.

Eating and drinking

There wasn’t any snacking on the Blue Origin craft, Sabry said, and the up-and-down trips don’t leave time for in-flight meals. Hot food isn’t always an option with other carriers, either. The first course served on the orbiting Dragon capsule was cold pizza, though SpaceX founder Elon Musk apologized for the unheated pie and promised future astronauts would have a food warmer.

Why NASA and other space agencies want to return to the moon

That’s how the crew heats dinner on the ISS, which boasts a varied menu: about 200 options , mostly freeze-dried or thermostabilized. Tortillas replace bread to avoid crumbs; what’s just a tabletop mess on Earth becomes a hazard when bits can float into electronics or eyeballs. There’s no soda or beer because, according to NASA, carbonation bubbles would be unpleasantly routed through the digestive system without gravity to help an astronaut burp.

Staying clean-ish

Space is like backcountry camping. Both lack laundry machines and require some hygienic compromises. When astronauts must bathe, they squeeze packets of soap and water on their skin and apply rinseless shampoo to their hair. Toilets on the ISS and Dragon Capsule collect waste via suction hoses and fans. On the space station, urine is recycled into drinkable water . Toothbrushes and paste are the same, but without sinks, there’s no spitting.

Falling asleep

You’ll roll out sleeping bags in the SpaceX spacecraft or as an Axiom crew member on the ISS. Vehicles are temperature-regulated because the outside of the ISS can swing from minus-250 in the shadows to 250 degrees in the sun. Still, some modules, or sections, of the ISS can be chillier than others: López-Alegría said he donned long underwear to be cozier when drifting off in space.

Illustrations by Elizabeth von Oehsen. Editing by Amanda Finnegan.

space tourism guide august 2023

You Won’t Hear Much About the Next Chapter of Space Travel

Space tourism is getting less transparent, and more like traveling by private jet.

A passenger floats in weightlessness on a Virgin Galactic flight to the edge of space

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Of all the high-flying tourism ventures spawned by space-obsessed billionaires, Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson, offers perhaps the most unconventional approach. It doesn’t use big rockets or gumdrop-shaped capsules. Instead, an airplane takes off with a spacecraft strapped to its wing. The spacecraft, shaped like a plane itself, holds the paying customers and more pilots. When the airplane reaches a certain altitude, it releases the spacecraft. The spacecraft’s pilots then ignite its engine, and the vehicle soars straight up, to the fuzzy boundary that separates us from the rest of the universe, before gliding back down and landing on a runway.

The spaceplane experience is a stark contrast to Blue Origin’s suborbital jaunts and SpaceX’s orbital missions, but Virgin Galactic’s passengers still have a few surreal minutes of weightlessness, and they get to see the planet gleaming against the darkness of space. Those passengers have included the first former Olympian to reach space, as well as the first mother-daughter duo and, most recently, the first Pakistani .

In the midst of all that, Virgin Galactic clocked a first that raised some eyebrows: The company withheld the passenger list from the public before a takeoff last month, divulging the travelers’ names only after they had landed. The company never publicly explained its preflight secrecy. (Virgin Galactic did not respond to a request for comment.) Yesterday, Virgin Galactic announced its next flight, scheduled for November; the company kept one of the three listed passengers anonymous, saying only that the person is “of Franco-Italian nationality.”

Virgin is of course within its rights to withhold passenger names before takeoff. After all, airlines and railroads keep private the names of their customers. But Virgin Galactic’s choice to do so marks a subtle shift—the latest in U.S. spaceflight’s arc from a publicly funded national mission to private tourism. NASA, as a taxpayer-funded organization, has always had to provide the public with launch lists and livestreams. But the age of space tourism raises a host of questions: How much openness do space-tourism companies owe the public? How much privacy do they owe their customers? Before the Virgin flight returned home last month, it operated almost like a privately chartered plane, its movements known to relevant aviation agencies but its passengers’ names undisclosed to the public. Commercial spaceflight and air travel are still far from alike, but in this particular aspect, the space-tourism industry may be drifting toward its private-jet era.

Read: The new ‘right stuff’ is money and luck

In practice, the space-tourism industry is barely more than two years old, and it’s “still finding its norms,” says Carissa Christensen, a space consultant and the CEO of BryceTech, an analytics and engineering firm. The first passenger rosters were marquee news in 2021, when Branson and Jeff Bezos were racing to be the first to ride their own spacecraft , and Elon Musk’s SpaceX was working to send a quartet of private astronauts with zero spaceflight experience into orbit.

All three of their companies publicized, and even hyped, the passenger lists, in some cases months in advance. Wally Funk, an octogenarian aviator who had outperformed male candidates in astronaut tests during the 1960s but was kept out of the astronaut corps because she was a woman, flew alongside Bezos . Jared Isaacman, a billionaire businessman, paid for three other people to fly into orbit with him on SpaceX; all of them gave countless interviews before launch. And who can forget the hype ahead of William Shatner’s flight, and the Star Trek star’s unfiltered, emotional remarks after landing?

The rosters became less noteworthy as time went on: The customers were no longer memorable guests who got free rides, but simply very wealthy people who could afford the trips on their own. Last month’s temporarily secret Virgin Galactic fliers included a real-estate investor from Las Vegas, a South African entrepreneur, and a British engineer who founded a company that builds race cars. Michelle Hanlon, a space lawyer and the executive director of the University of Mississippi’s Center for Air and Space Law, told me that she was mildly surprised by Virgin Galactic’s decision to withhold the passengers’ identities before takeoff, but that the decision did not strike her as inappropriate.

“From a paparazzi standpoint, if it’s Ashton Kutcher, the world’s gonna care a little bit more than if it’s Michelle Hanlon,” Hanlon said. (Kutcher did, in fact, purchase a Virgin Galactic ticket in 2012, but he later sold it back to the company after his wife and fellow actor, Mila Kunis, talked him out of going.) And from a legal standpoint, nothing inappropriate occurred, Hanlon said; there are no existing requirements for a private company to disclose passenger names. Space travelers must sign waivers from the Federal Aviation Administration outlining the risks associated with the activity, she said, but the companies they’re flying with are not required to provide the agency with a passenger list.

Read: Jeff Bezos knows who paid for him to go to space

Passenger names aren’t the only details of commercial spaceflight that are becoming more opaque. When SpaceX launched its first set of private astronauts, the company shared significantly less live footage of their experience in orbit than they did when NASA astronauts test-drove the capsule a year earlier. During its last two flights, Virgin Galactic decided not to provide a livestream, giving updates on social media instead.

Because there are no regulations, it’s difficult to say when the companies’ right to privacy becomes a concerning level of secrecy. NASA overshares when it comes to its astronauts and their mission, because the public—which funds the agency—expects it. Americans might also expect a good look at SpaceX customers who visit the International Space Station, which relies on billions of dollars of taxpayer money, and where private visitors share meals with government astronauts. But what about other kinds of SpaceX missions, which go into orbit without disembarking at any government-owned facility? The company developed its crewed launch services with significant investment from NASA, so virtually every SpaceX trip indirectly involves government money. That doesn’t necessarily mean SpaceX is obligated to share as the space agency does, even if people on the ground feel that it should.

Another major difference between NASA missions and private ones, of course, is that astronauts are at work, whereas many space tourists are presumably just having fun. Caryn Schenewerk, a consultant who specializes in commercial spaceflight at her firm CS Consulting, told me that she thinks commercial spaceflight will adopt the practices of other forms of adventure tourism. Take skydiving, for example: Schenewerk said that she has signed paperwork granting the skydiving company permission to use footage of her experience for its own purposes. “There’s some expectation of privacy on the individual’s behalf that then has to be actively waived for the company’s benefit,” she said.

The once-anonymous Virgin Galactic passengers on the September flight have since publicly shared their stories , basking in the awe of their experience. Christensen told me that most future tourists will likely do the same. “A big part of the fun is other people knowing that you’ve done it,” she said. Flying to space isn’t exactly something to be modest about: Fewer than 700 people have done it since human beings first achieved the feat, in the early 1960s, and we know all of their names. If Virgin’s new mystery passenger doesn’t reveal their name, they really will make history.

Read: Seeing Earth from space will change you

Many spacefarers—the Soviet cosmonauts who inhabited the first space station, the American astronauts who shuttled their way into orbit, the Chinese astronauts living in space right now, all of the people who have flown commercial—have spoken about the transformational wonder of seeing Earth from space, a phenomenon known as the overview effect . They reported that they better understood the reality of our beautiful, fragile planet, and that they felt a duty to share their impressions with people on the ground. Gene Cernan, one of the dozen men who walked on the lunar surface, once said, “If only everyone could relate to the beauty and the purposefulness of it … It wouldn’t bring a utopia to this planet for people to understand it all, but it might make a difference.” In this sense, for a space traveler to remain unknown forever would be a sort of anti–overview effect: Just as they may have the right to request some privacy, they have no obligation to bring the transcendent power of their journey back to Earth.

Three years ago, two NASA astronauts made a historic flight on a new SpaceX astronaut capsule. Ahead of the mission, I asked NASA what Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken were going to have for breakfast on the morning of the launch. It was a question with a long tradition in spacefaring history: During the Apollo days, the public was privy to the final Earth-bound meals of history-making astronauts. NASA officials balked, saying they couldn’t divulge that information for privacy reasons. But on the day of the launch, Hurley, as if to sate the space press corps, posted a picture of his steak and eggs on Twitter (as it was still known then).

Hurley and Behnken’s preflight hours seemed like fair game; after all, these men were government employees, doing their job on their assigned mission. But future passengers may decide that we have no business knowing their breakfast order—or even their name.

Espresso

Everything you need to know about space tourism

Posted: October 12, 2023 | Last updated: October 12, 2023

<p>Between floating in weightlessness, <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/international-space-stationa-journey-around-the-earth-every-90-minutes-with-16-sunrises-in-a-day/as71686846.cms#:~:text=separated%20by%20commas)-,International%20Space%20Station%E2%80%94a%20journey%20around%20the%20earth%20every%2090,that%20is%20a%20staggering%20speed.">witnessing 16 sunrises a day</a> and gazing into the infinite void, space travel sure sounds like an out-of-this-world experience. And now, it’s no longer a thing of the future. </p><p>That’s right, soon interstellar awe will be open to (almost) anyone, as billionaires Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk are pushing the space tourism industry to a higher orbit. </p>

Between floating in weightlessness, witnessing 16 sunrises a day and gazing into the infinite void, space travel sure sounds like an out-of-this-world experience. And now, it’s no longer a thing of the future.

That’s right, soon interstellar awe will be open to (almost) anyone, as billionaires Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk are pushing the space tourism industry to a higher orbit.

<p>Well, it’s almost like regular tourism: travel for recreational and leisure purposes… but in outer space. Some organizations like the <a href="http://www.commercialspaceflight.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Commercial Spaceflight Federation</a> and the <a href="http://www.citizensinspace.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Citizens in Space project</a> prefer to use the terms “personal spaceflight” or “citizen space exploration,” though.</p><p>In a nutshell, it’s space travel for non-astronauts.</p>

What is space tourism?

Well, it’s almost like regular tourism: travel for recreational and leisure purposes… but in outer space. Some organizations like the Commercial Spaceflight Federation and the Citizens in Space project prefer to use the terms “personal spaceflight” or “citizen space exploration,” though.

In a nutshell, it’s space travel for non-astronauts.

<p><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/06/08/space-tourism-questions-answers/">Anyone</a>! Well, that is, anyone with enough money. No need to have any previous science qualifications or NASA training, especially since a trained crew will escort tourists on their galactic journey.</p><p>According to Virgin Galactic, future space tourists will be between 10 and 90 years old, and come from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.</p><p>The only thing you need? The desire to explore the universe!</p>

Who can travel to space?

Anyone ! Well, that is, anyone with enough money. No need to have any previous science qualifications or NASA training, especially since a trained crew will escort tourists on their galactic journey.

According to Virgin Galactic, future space tourists will be between 10 and 90 years old, and come from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.

The only thing you need? The desire to explore the universe!

<p>The main difference between <a href="https://www.space.com/suborbital-orbital-flight.html">orbital and suborbital flights</a> lies in the trajectory and speed of the vessels. </p><p>To go into orbit, a rocket or spaceship needs to follow a path that goes around the Earth at the very fast minimum speed of 7.7 kilometres (4.8 miles) per second, in order to keep circling and never fall back down.</p><p>It allows astronauts and travellers to stay in space for extended periods of time, hence it is for now the preferred type of flight.</p>

What is orbital travel?

The main difference between orbital and suborbital flights lies in the trajectory and speed of the vessels.

To go into orbit, a rocket or spaceship needs to follow a path that goes around the Earth at the very fast minimum speed of 7.7 kilometres (4.8 miles) per second, in order to keep circling and never fall back down.

It allows astronauts and travellers to stay in space for extended periods of time, hence it is for now the preferred type of flight.

<p>A <a href="https://theconversation.com/first-space-tourists-will-face-big-risks-as-private-companies-gear-up-for-paid-suborbital-flights-138766">suborbital flight</a>, which is what Branson and Bezos did, “just” requires enough energy to blast off to space and then naturally fall back to Earth, making a huge arc.</p><p>It requires less energy and is less costly than orbital flights, thus opening doors for relatively affordable space tourism in the future.</p><p>Passengers would experience up to six minutes of weightlessness and a grandiose view.</p>

What is suborbital travel?

A suborbital flight , which is what Branson and Bezos did, “just” requires enough energy to blast off to space and then naturally fall back to Earth, making a huge arc.

It requires less energy and is less costly than orbital flights, thus opening doors for relatively affordable space tourism in the future.

Passengers would experience up to six minutes of weightlessness and a grandiose view.

<p>Although <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/06/08/space-tourism-questions-answers/">Virgin Galactic</a> doesn’t explicitly list its physical requirements, they did say astronauts would have to pass certain medical checkups and training programs. Blue Origin, on the other hand, has said that training for suborbital trips will only take a day. </p><p>And of course, any space tourist will also have to pass a series of thorough tests to determine whether they’re fit to fly up there. </p><p>Once in space, you may have to perform small bouts of exercise to <a href="https://www.space.com/average-person-exercise-during-commercial-spaceflight">prevent muscle wasting</a>, which takes place after just seven days.</p>

How do you prepare?

Although Virgin Galactic doesn’t explicitly list its physical requirements, they did say astronauts would have to pass certain medical checkups and training programs. Blue Origin, on the other hand, has said that training for suborbital trips will only take a day.

And of course, any space tourist will also have to pass a series of thorough tests to determine whether they’re fit to fly up there.

Once in space, you may have to perform small bouts of exercise to prevent muscle wasting , which takes place after just seven days.

<p>As its name hints, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks/first-private-trip-to-the-moon-could-be-a-tremendous-boost-or-bust-for-space-tourism-1.5937240">lunar tourism</a> is the project of sending paying travellers to the moon. The first one could happen as soon as 2023, and would consist of a loop flight.</p><p>But three types of lunar tourism could be available in the near future: circumlunar trajectory, lunar orbit, and even lunar landing.</p><p>How cool would it be to say to someone, upon returning from a lunar vacation, “I’ve literally loved you to the moon and back”?</p>

What is lunar tourism?

As its name hints, lunar tourism is the project of sending paying travellers to the moon. The first one could happen as soon as 2023, and would consist of a loop flight.

But three types of lunar tourism could be available in the near future: circumlunar trajectory, lunar orbit, and even lunar landing.

How cool would it be to say to someone, upon returning from a lunar vacation, “I’ve literally loved you to the moon and back”?

<p>Admittedly, space is a vast place. So <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/jun/15/spacewatch-astronauts-planets-atmosphere" rel="noreferrer noopener">where exactly would tourists go</a>?</p><p>First, any space travel begins with the <a href="https://astronomy.com/news/2021/03/the-krmn-line-where-does-space-begin">Kármán line</a>, which lies at 100 kilometres (62 miles) above sea level and is commonly accepted as the limit between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.</p><p>Then, there are several options: orbital, suborbital, and lunar space tourism.</p>

Where does space tourism take place?

Admittedly, space is a vast place. So where exactly would tourists go ?

First, any space travel begins with the Kármán line , which lies at 100 kilometres (62 miles) above sea level and is commonly accepted as the limit between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.

Then, there are several options: orbital, suborbital, and lunar space tourism.

<p>Yes! From 2001 to 2009, the Russian space agency and the U.S.-based space tourism company <a href="https://www.space.com/space-adventures-roscosmos-tourist-flight-spacewalk-2023.html">Space Adventures</a> took seven (very wealthy) members of the public for several orbital space travels to the International Space Station. </p><p>The flights took place aboard the famous spacecraft Soyuz but stopped in 2010, since the crew of actual astronauts grew bigger and left no more seats available for paying space tourists.</p>

Have touristic space travels already occurred?

Yes! From 2001 to 2009, the Russian space agency and the U.S.-based space tourism company Space Adventures took seven (very wealthy) members of the public for several orbital space travels to the International Space Station.

The flights took place aboard the famous spacecraft Soyuz but stopped in 2010, since the crew of actual astronauts grew bigger and left no more seats available for paying space tourists.

<p>The American businessman Dennis Tito became officially <a href="https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/space-tourism-20-year-anniversary-scn/index.html#:~:text=(CNN)%20%E2%80%94%20On%20April%2030,the%20world's%20first%20space%20tourist.">the first space tourist</a> in April 2001, when he stayed for seven days on the International Space Station.</p><p>He was followed by six multimillionaire fellows from various countries: South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth, American scientist Gregory Olsen, Iranian engineer Anousheh Ansari (the first female space tourist), Hungarian-American computer programmer Charles Simonyi, British video game mogul Richard Garriott, and Canadian businessman Guy Laliberté.</p><p>On July 11, 2021, billionaire Richard Branson, along with three Virgin Galactic employees and two pilots, reached an altitude of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-57797297">85 kilometres (53 miles) above Earth</a> aboard his Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the Unity. Less than 10 days later, on July 20, the world’s richest man, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, briefly entered space on <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/07/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-successful-flight/619484/">Blue Origin</a>, his private space company’s reusable rocket. He was joined by his younger brother Mark, Dutch teenager Oliver Daemen, and Wally Funk, who, at 82 years old, became the oldest astronaut. </p>

Who were the first space tourists?

The American businessman Dennis Tito became officially the first space tourist in April 2001, when he stayed for seven days on the International Space Station.

He was followed by six multimillionaire fellows from various countries: South African entrepreneur Mark Shuttleworth, American scientist Gregory Olsen, Iranian engineer Anousheh Ansari (the first female space tourist), Hungarian-American computer programmer Charles Simonyi, British video game mogul Richard Garriott, and Canadian businessman Guy Laliberté.

On July 11, 2021, billionaire Richard Branson, along with three Virgin Galactic employees and two pilots, reached an altitude of 85 kilometres (53 miles) above Earth aboard his Virgin Galactic rocket plane, the Unity. Less than 10 days later, on July 20, the world’s richest man, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, briefly entered space on Blue Origin , his private space company’s reusable rocket. He was joined by his younger brother Mark, Dutch teenager Oliver Daemen, and Wally Funk, who, at 82 years old, became the oldest astronaut.

<p>Unlike past tourism experiments, which took place aboard vessels sent off for scientific purposes, future travels will happen on private companies’ flights set up solely for space tourism. </p><p>Those pioneering aerospace companies are <a href="https://www.virgingalactic.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic</a>; <a href="http://www.spacex.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener">SpaceX, founded by Tesla co-founder Elon Musk</a>; and <a href="https://www.blueorigin.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue Origin</a>, created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.</p>

Who would be the space tourism “agencies”?

Unlike past tourism experiments, which took place aboard vessels sent off for scientific purposes, future travels will happen on private companies’ flights set up solely for space tourism.

Those pioneering aerospace companies are Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic ; SpaceX, founded by Tesla co-founder Elon Musk ; and Blue Origin , created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

<p>Sooner than you think. According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffwhitmore/2021/07/14/space-travel-updates-when-will-we-be-able-to-travel-to-space/?sh=12e9f52e6dff"><em>Forbes</em></a>, Virgin Galactic’s successful trip means the company could start sending civilians up into space as soon as early 2022. Likewise, Blue Origin, which has a Federal Aviation Administration licence for human space travel through August 2021, could officially enter the space tourism game by early 2022.</p>

When will space tourism happen?

Sooner than you think. According to Forbes , Virgin Galactic’s successful trip means the company could start sending civilians up into space as soon as early 2022. Likewise, Blue Origin, which has a Federal Aviation Administration licence for human space travel through August 2021, could officially enter the space tourism game by early 2022.

<p>It’s not exactly clear at the moment, but there have been some indications. For example, Virgin Galactic began selling ticket reservations for <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2021/07/blue-origin-cost-jeff-bezos-space-virgin-galactic-spacex.html">US$250,000</a> and sold roughly 600, before a test crash in 2014 brought sales to a halt. They’re expected to start selling tickets again in 2022, but at a much higher price.</p><p>It was reported in 2018 that seats on Bezos’s Blue Origin would also cost in the ballpark of US$200,000 to US$300,000, but that could change given how high demand is. At a recent auction, the winning bid for a seat aboard the company’s first spaceflight was a whopping <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/12/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-auctions-spaceflight-seat-for-28-million.html">US$28 million</a>.</p><p>The bottom line is, those hoping to take a trip around the stars will either need to know someone or have hundreds of thousands (likely even millions) of dollars to spare.</p>

How much will it cost?

It’s not exactly clear at the moment, but there have been some indications. For example, Virgin Galactic began selling ticket reservations for US$250,000 and sold roughly 600, before a test crash in 2014 brought sales to a halt. They’re expected to start selling tickets again in 2022, but at a much higher price.

It was reported in 2018 that seats on Bezos’s Blue Origin would also cost in the ballpark of US$200,000 to US$300,000, but that could change given how high demand is. At a recent auction, the winning bid for a seat aboard the company’s first spaceflight was a whopping US$28 million .

The bottom line is, those hoping to take a trip around the stars will either need to know someone or have hundreds of thousands (likely even millions) of dollars to spare.

<p>The development of space tourism vehicles is still an ongoing project. </p><p>But a few options already exist, like Virgin Galactic’s spaceplanes that can carry up to eight people, or <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/dragon/">SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft</a>, launched by the Falcon Heavy rocket. </p><p>Blue Origin’s New Shepard looks more like a regular rocket that takes off and lands vertically, but also claims to offer the biggest windows of any spacecraft—a good selling point. It comfortably sits six people and is fully autonomous, meaning no pilot onboard.</p>

How do we get there?

The development of space tourism vehicles is still an ongoing project.

But a few options already exist, like Virgin Galactic’s spaceplanes that can carry up to eight people, or SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft , launched by the Falcon Heavy rocket.

Blue Origin’s New Shepard looks more like a regular rocket that takes off and lands vertically, but also claims to offer the biggest windows of any spacecraft—a good selling point. It comfortably sits six people and is fully autonomous, meaning no pilot onboard.

<p>Needless to say, travelling to space is <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/hrp/bodyinspace">no walk in the park.</a></p><p>You’re eager to experience the joys of floating in microgravity? You better also get prepared to endure several physical discomforts: nausea and sea sickness, dizziness, headache, disorientation, puffy face, and bloodshot eyes.</p><p>But astronauts and previous space tourists agree that the body adjusts fairly quickly, getting used to its spatial environment in about three days.</p>

What does it feel like?

Needless to say, travelling to space is no walk in the park.

You’re eager to experience the joys of floating in microgravity? You better also get prepared to endure several physical discomforts: nausea and sea sickness, dizziness, headache, disorientation, puffy face, and bloodshot eyes.

But astronauts and previous space tourists agree that the body adjusts fairly quickly, getting used to its spatial environment in about three days.

<p><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/jeff-bezos-and-other-space-tourists-will-enter-sparse-regulatory-territory-11623325460">Safety is a reasonable concern</a>, considering the many hazards involved in space travel: the probability of a crash, exposure to cosmic radiation, and even unknown dangers that could emerge with this new industry. But here is the real question for any adventurer: is the thrill worth the risk?</p>

Is it safe?

Safety is a reasonable concern , considering the many hazards involved in space travel: the probability of a crash, exposure to cosmic radiation, and even unknown dangers that could emerge with this new industry. But here is the real question for any adventurer: is the thrill worth the risk?

<p>For many tourists, food is a crucial criterion for a successful vacation. But outer space is no place for gourmets, at least not yet. Interstellar tourists can expect to enjoy mostly canned, modified, and pre-packaged meals (such as space burritos and freeze-dried ice cream). But soon, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/exploration-research-and-technology/growing-plants-in-space/" rel="noreferrer noopener">thanks to NASA’s veggie farm</a>, space tourists might be able to savour space-grown salads. </p>

What is the food like?

For many tourists, food is a crucial criterion for a successful vacation. But outer space is no place for gourmets, at least not yet. Interstellar tourists can expect to enjoy mostly canned, modified, and pre-packaged meals (such as space burritos and freeze-dried ice cream). But soon, thanks to NASA’s veggie farm , space tourists might be able to savour space-grown salads.

<p>Orbital space travel allows you to stay up there for a few days or even weeks. At that point, you might want to stretch your legs outside of the spacecraft, right? Well, in the future, space stations could be used as hotels: the Genesis inflatable habitats by Bigelow Aerospace and the <a href="http://spaceislandgroup.com/home.html" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space Island Project</a> are existing examples. Make sure to book a room with a view of planet Earth!</p>

What about the accommodations?

Orbital space travel allows you to stay up there for a few days or even weeks. At that point, you might want to stretch your legs outside of the spacecraft, right? Well, in the future, space stations could be used as hotels: the Genesis inflatable habitats by Bigelow Aerospace and the Space Island Project are existing examples. Make sure to book a room with a view of planet Earth!

How to pack a space suitcase?

Packing a suitcase for a trip through the cosmos is actually less of a headache than doing so for a weekend vacation on Earth. Just keep in mind that it’s impossible to do laundry in space, so pack clothes accordingly : stock up on underwear, light clothing (space station temperature is controlled at about 22 degrees Celsius, or 72 degrees Fahrenheit), and exercise outfits. Outerwear will be provided: an orange suit for takeoff and re-entry, and a white one for potential space strolls.

<p>With ecotourism being a growing trend and concern over the last few years, the question is legitimate. Well, bad news: space travel could have a negative impact by <a href="https://www.space.com/environmental-impact-space-tourism-flights">accelerating global warming</a>. This would be caused by the black carbon released into the stratosphere after suborbital launches. But of course, <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/virgin-galactic-space-tourism-wont-hurt-environment-says-richard-branson/news-story/0c03b11efe10fa48a3296f6f361b7557">entrepreneurs in the industry claim</a> that the carbon footprint of space tourism would be minimal. The truth is, rockets emit 50 to <a href="https://www.space.com/space-tourism-rockets-emit-100-times-more-co2">100 times more CO₂ per passenger</a> than a regular flight. Considering that Virgin Galactic plans to do 400 trips per year, that’s a lot of CO₂ entering the atmosphere.</p>

Is it eco-friendly?

With ecotourism being a growing trend and concern over the last few years, the question is legitimate. Well, bad news: space travel could have a negative impact by accelerating global warming . This would be caused by the black carbon released into the stratosphere after suborbital launches. But of course, entrepreneurs in the industry claim that the carbon footprint of space tourism would be minimal. The truth is, rockets emit 50 to 100 times more CO₂ per passenger than a regular flight. Considering that Virgin Galactic plans to do 400 trips per year, that’s a lot of CO₂ entering the atmosphere.

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August 2023.

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  • India's Chandrayaan-3 snaps close-up photos of moon ahead of landing try (video)
  • NASA propulsion technology brings 'flying cars' closer to reality
  • SpaceX Dragon capsule arrives at launch pad ahead of Crew-7 liftoff (photos)
  • NASA's Ingenuity Mars helicopter aces 55th Red Planet flight
  • We could be 16 years into a methane-fueled 'termination' event significant enough to end an ice age
  • NASA rolls Artemis 2 mobile launch tower to pad for tests (photos)
  • See the moon and Mars enjoy the sunset together tonight
  • Astronomers find 1st evidence of heavy black hole seeds in the early universe
  • Neptune's clouds have vanished, and the sun may be to blame (video)
  • Maui satellite photo shows full scale of deadliest US fire in more than a century
  • Take an interstellar cruise into the cosmos in new limited series 'The Space Between' (exclusive)
  • Satellites watch wildfires rage across Canadian northwest (photos)
  • Russia's Luna-25 moon lander snaps 1st photo of lunar surface
  • James Webb Space Telescope confirms 'Maisie's galaxy' is one of the earliest ever seen
  • Powerful helium star could finally reveal secrets about highly magnetic stellar corpses
  • SpaceX launches 21 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea
  • Astronaut-artist Karen Nyberg unveils quilt portraits of first women to fly in space
  • India's Chandrayaan-3 moon lander successfully separates, prepares for Aug. 23 touchdown
  • Perseid meteor shower 2023 lights up the sky in these gorgeous reader photos (gallery)
  • Watch how 'Ahsoka' explores the bond between Jedi masters and apprentices in 'Star Wars' (video)
  • A 142-year-old astronomy building was serendipitously unearthed in Michigan (photos)
  • The only Blue Moon of 2023 to shine next week
  • Rare iron meteorite could help reveal secrets of early solar system
  • SpaceX's Crew-7 mission will launch international crew to ISS next week
  • Deadly wildfires in Hawaii seen from International Space Station (photo)
  • These 3 teams just hacked a US Air Force satellite in space ... and won big cash prizes
  • NASA's New Horizons will investigate Uranus from the rear (Neptune, too). Here's how you can help
  • SpaceX submits Starship mishap report to the FAA
  • How NASA's Curiosity rover overcame its steepest Mars climb yet (video)
  • Artemis 4 astronauts will be 1st crew to use NASA's moon-orbiting Gateway in 2028
  • India prepping to launch 1st sun-studying spacecraft next month
  • US Space Force creates 1st unit dedicated to targeting adversary satellites
  • Russia's Luna-25 moon lander reaches lunar orbit
  • The sun rages with solar flares in epic time-lapse footage (video)
  • Satellites show Mount Etna volcano erupt after weeks of puffing out smoke rings (photos)
  • 25 years after its discovery, dark energy remains frustratingly elusive
  • This Artemis 2 tour showed me the 'Canadian genius' aiding NASA's next moon mission
  • 'A Million Miles Away' trailer previews the true-life story of astronaut José Hernández
  • NASA working to get private space stations up and running before ISS retires in 2030
  • SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea
  • Intuitive Machines sets Nov. 15 launch date for private moon lander on SpaceX rocket
  • Record-breaking 'failed' star orbiting stellar corpse is 2,000 degrees hotter than the sun
  • Japan's Interstellar Technologies aims to launch 1st orbital rocket in 2025
  • Hubble telescope captures a 'ghostly' galaxy glowing in distant space (photo)
  • Fly along with Virgin Galactic's 1st private astronauts on landmark mission (video)
  • Mars Society begins simulated Red Planet mission in Canadian Arctic
  • How ordinary spacecraft sensors could improve our understanding of space weather
  • Space mining company developing nuclear reactor and more for moon projects
  • What 1st Canadian astronaut on moon mission is learning from his crewmates (exclusive)
  • Chandrayaan-3 vs. Luna-25: Are India and Russia racing to the moon's south pole?
  • 100-year 'megastorms' on Saturn shower the ringed planet in ammonia rain
  • 'Star Trek' creature designer Neville Page on creating aliens and his new book (exclusive)
  • The August new moon is ideal for spotting stunning deep sky objects tonight
  • Supersonic tsunamis 3 times as tall as our sun are breaking on a distant 'heartbreak star'
  • Researchers dig deep underground in hopes of finally observing dark matter
  • July 2023 was the hottest month on Earth since at least 1880 'by a longshot,' NASA says
  • August Super Blue Moon guide 2023: The biggest and brightest moon of the year snuggles up to Saturn
  • First contact with aliens could end in colonization and genocide if we don't learn from history
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  • Watch celebronauts search for a missing robot dog in this exclusive 'Stars on Mars' clip (video)
  • Russia's Luna-25 moon lander snaps 1st pictures from space (photos)
  • Our Milky Way galaxy was not always a spiral. Here's how it changed shape
  • Greenland and Faroe Islands issue stamp for Danish astronaut's ISS mission
  • Perseid meteor shower 2023 thrills stargazers around the world. See their amazing photos.
  • Meet the SpaceX Crew-7 astronauts launching to the ISS on Aug. 25
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  • China makes Chang'e 5 moon samples open to international researchers
  • 'Quantum superchemistry' observed for the 1st time ever
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  • Wobbling muon experiment could reveal a 5th force of nature — if the results hold up
  • Watch the Perseid meteor shower tonight with this free telescope livestream
  • Supermassive black holes may solve mystery of our universe's gravitational-wave 'hum'
  • Why Venus is now a slim crescent and will disappear from the evening sky this weekend
  • NASA test-fires rocket motors that will help launch samples off Mars (video)
  • Win a free 'Asteroid City' Blu-ray and more in this Facebook giveaway!
  • Instruments for NASA's VERITAS Venus mission get a test in Iceland (photos)
  • After 17 years away, NASA's sun-studying spacecraft will visit Earth on Aug. 12
  • This shoebox-sized gadget will make sure astronauts breathe safely on NASA's Artemis moon missions
  • Asteroid struck by NASA's DART probe to be radar-scanned with Hera mission
  • Ancient mud cracks on Mars suggest Red Planet may have been more habitable than thought
  • Aftermath of Hawaii's deadly wildfire inferno revealed in gut-wrenching satellite images
  • Vaonis' Hestia Kickstarter to turn smartphones into smart telescopes crosses $2 million with a week to go
  • Cosmonaut Alexander Viktorenko, who flew to Mir space station four times, dies at 76
  • NASA's Parker Solar Probe to make closest flyby of Venus on Aug. 21
  • Shiny Perseid meteors light up a dark sky in Portugal (video)
  • Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend — but 2028's show might be one for the ages
  • Exoplanets in the Trappist-1 system more likely to be habitable than scientists once thought, study suggests
  • Russia launches Luna-25 moon lander, its 1st lunar probe in 47 years
  • Watch a trippy trailer for 'Strange Planet,' a bizarre animated sci-fi show on Apple TV+
  • The 2023 Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend! Here's what you need to know.
  • China launches new radar satellite for disaster mitigation (video)
  • Wildfire smoke is warming the planet more than previously thought, scientists say
  • SpaceX launches 22 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea
  • Virgin Galactic launches 1st mother-daughter team and 1st Olympian to space on 2nd commercial flight (video)
  • NASA's Psyche asteroid mission will test next-gen laser communications in space
  • GPS satellites threatened more by mild solar storms than monster sun flares
  • Watch Ingenuity Mars helicopter fly in amazing video from Perseverance rover
  • Russia will launch Luna-25, its 1st moon mission since 1976, today and you can watch it live
  • Stunning time-lapse video captures 17-year journey of exoplanet around its star
  • Russian cosmonaut becomes first to ride European robotic arm on ISS spacewalk
  • What time is Virgin Galactic's Galactic-02 space tourist launch today? Here's how to watch live.
  • Scientists are using NASA satellite data to text Bangladeshi farmers water-saving strategies
  • NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission is on track, but questions remain about Artemis 3
  • The powerful winds of super magnetic stars could destroy the possibility for life on their exoplanets
  • Earendel revealed: James Webb Space Telescope lifts veil on the most distant star known in the universe
  • Queen Rock legend Brian May launches Space.com astrophotography competition for signed copy of his asteroid book (video)
  • Mars is spinning faster and its days are getting shorter. Scientists aren't sure why
  • Galaxy from the 'teenage' universe reveals its water map for the 1st time
  • 1st launch of Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket slips to 2024
  • China aims to boost low-cost space science with 'Innovation X' rideshare program
  • These new photos of SpaceX's giant Starship Booster 9 engine test are just gorgeous
  • Watch 2 Russian cosmonauts conduct spacewalk outside ISS today
  • South Korea marks anniversary of 1st lunar probe with new moon photos
  • The chemical contamination of the International Space Station is out of this world (and not in a good way)
  • Can't wait for 'Dune Part 2'? Let your creativity flow with this official 'Dune' coloring book
  • This 'Star Wars' auction could put Han Solo's blaster or Chewbacca's bowcaster in your hands
  • Meet the crew of Virgin Galactic's 2nd commercial spaceflight
  • Russian rocket debris falls from space in spectacular fireball over southern Australia (video)
  • Artemis 2 astronauts eager to prep Orion spacecraft for more moon missions
  • Trio of tiny autonomous NASA rovers will launch to the moon next year
  • Powerful sun storm knocks out radio transmissions across North America
  • AI algorithm discovers 'potentially hazardous' asteroid 600 feet wide in a 1st for astronomy
  • Mars helicopter Ingenuity spies Perseverance rover during 54th Red Planet flight (photo, video)
  • See the moon dance with the Seven Sisters of the Pleiades before dawn on Aug. 9
  • Stay up late to see the half-lit moon during its last quarter phase tonight
  • Astroscale aims to capture old space junk with robotic arm in 2026 (exclusive video)
  • China launches Fengyun-3F meteorological satellite to orbit
  • SpaceX launches 15 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea
  • All the 'Star Trek' news we found from San Diego Comic-Con 2023
  • Boeing delays 1st Starliner astronaut launch for NASA to March 2024 (at the earliest)
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  • New 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' crossover featurette reveals its 'Lower Decks' animation to live-action shift (video)
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  • Scientists reconstruct Aeolus satellite's fiery fall to Earth from space
  • World's largest radio telescope gets help from smart maintenance robots
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  • Artemis 2 moon mission practice recovered crew from an Orion spacecraft at sea
  • India's Chandrayaan-3 moon rover enters lunar orbit, snaps stunning photos (video)
  • Artemis 1 cubesat finishes mission after detecting water and ice on the moon
  • How climate change alters rivers on both Earth and Mars
  • Chinese launch startup tests landing rockets with jet-powered prototype
  • See Jupiter and the half moon join up in the night sky tonight
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  • SpaceX fires up giant new Starship booster ahead of test flight (video)
  • NASA unveils new website and streaming new service landing later this year
  • Giant 'bubbletrons' shaped the forces of the universe moments after the Big Bang, new study suggests
  • Sun blasts out highest-energy radiation ever recorded, raising questions for solar physics
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  • Watch China test fire new engine for its planned crewed moon rocket (video)
  • The James Webb Space Telescope spotlights Einstein's genius. A fellow Holocaust survivor remembers him as a friend
  • Watch William Shatner call the U.S. government's UFO hearings 'ridiculous' (video)
  • NASA and Axiom Space sign-on for 4th private astronaut mission to space station
  • Watch NASA's sci-fi-looking X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet roll out of the hangar (video)
  • NASA Artemis moon rocket mockup to stand alongside historic boosters at Alabama space museum
  • NASA selects astronauts for SpaceX Crew-8 mission to International Space Station
  • A Jupiter-size exoplanet formed around a tiny star. Astronomers aren't sure how
  • Mars helicopter Ingenuity breaks 3-month flight gap with 53rd Red Planet hop
  • Two new 'Star Wars' books offer daring tales from the galaxy far, far away
  • SpaceX launch pad work delays Crew-7 astronaut launch for NASA to Aug. 25
  • China keeps its eye on NASA's budget uncertainty
  • How long can an asteroid 'survive'?
  • Cygnus space freighter arrives at space station with 8,200 pounds of cargo aboard
  • Watch a brilliant fireball shine brighter than the full moon (video)
  • New ISS experiment will help develop air conditioning for future space habitats
  • 'Star Trek's' Jonathan Frakes on directing the 'Strange New Worlds' crossover episode
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  • 1st solar eruption to simultaneously impact Earth, moon and Mars shows dangers of space radiation
  • NASA's interstellar Voyager 2 probe resumes communication with Earth
  • The Perseid meteor shower peaks in August. Here's how to see it
  • James Webb Space Telescope unveils the gravitationally warped galaxies of 'El Gordo'
  • 'Loki' Season 2 trailer reveals the god of mischief skipping through timelines
  • 'Starfield' animated anthology introduces gamers to its inhabited planets (videos)
  • The Greyhill Incident offers the most boring UFO invasion yet
  • SpaceX's Falcon Heavy delays Crew-7 astronaut launch for NASA to Aug. 23
  • SpaceX launches communications satellite, lands rocket at sea
  • What is the difference between science and pseudoscience?
  • James Webb Space Telescope captures vibrant details of the Milky Way's galactic neighbor (photo)
  • Sturgeon supermoon lights up skies around the world (photos)
  • NASA's Psyche mission to metal asteroid undergoes vital testing for October launch
  • AI is helping scientists reveal star ages. Here's how
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  • See the moon snuggle up to Saturn in the night sky this week
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  • Mystery of space debris found on Australian beach may be solved
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  • Watch the supermoon of August 2023 rise today with free telescope livestream (video)
  • 2 Fly me to the moon: NASA accepting astronaut applications (video)
  • 3 SpaceX eyes March 14 for 3rd Starship test flight
  • 4 NASA, SpaceX looking to extend lifespan of Crew Dragon spacecraft to 15 flights
  • 5 NASA cancels multibillion-dollar on-orbit satellite servicing mission

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Your Guide to the Space Events in the UK of August 2023

Your Guide to the Space Events in the UK of August 2023

August, the final month of summer, presents a celestial extravaganza catering to space enthusiasts of all ages. These events appeal not only to curious observers but also to seasoned academics and space aficionados.

Don’t wait any longer! Grab those tickets now and pop this awesome event into your calendar, so you don’t miss out on all the fun!

A Beginners Guide to the Universe: Genius

When: 1 August

Where: Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre Moor Road Eaglesham G76 0QQ United Kingdom

From the Ancient Greeks to the scientists of the Renaissance, all the way to the astronomers during the late 1800s. You’ll work out how Eratosthenes in 240 BC worked out the circumference of the Earth with sticks and shadows. How Galileo helped us understand our Solar System in the 1600s. Moreover, you’ll discuss the work of Annie Jump Cannon and how she categorized the stars in the night sky. 

Let’s examine their work and celebrate their genius for without their shoulders to stand on we wouldn’t able see as far into the universe.

Galaxy Quest kids drama camp 

Where: Farmer Road Leyton London E10 5DN United Kingdom

Time traveller, Ulysses, and his assistants, Elbo and Froth are in a race against time (and space) to save the Universe from their arch enemy, Voltemand, and his sidekicks, Vocalzone and Vapour Rub. 

They are looking for highly creative, adventurous 5 to 11 year olds, with lots of energy and a good sense of humor, to join them on their time machine, the Hermes, to journey the lengths and depths of the Universe and outwit their slippery adversaries. The young space explorers will learn about the science of time, travel, space, the universe, how to make a good cup of tea while travelling at light speed – and lots of other essential sciencey things!

Women in Science: Space Tour

When: 8 August

Where: Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD United Kingdom

Take a guided tour of our first-floor Hintze Hall balconies and Minerals Gallery and hear the gripping stories of the female scientists whose contributions changed our understanding of space. Encounter numerous treasures, including rare meteorites, as you learn about the research of female space scientists past and present, including some who’ve worked at the Museum.

Holiday workshops: An introduction to space science (ages 12–14)

Where: The Royal Institution 21 Albemarle Street City of Westminster W1S United Kingdom

Take control of space for the day in this challenge-based workshop. In the morning, students will explore the basics of the solar system and space travel, looking at current missions exploring space. In the afternoon they will then design a mission to rescue an astronaut stranded on Mars, using what they have learned, and lots of ingenuity to make the mission a success.

Astronomy under the Stars – A Superhuman View of the Cosmos

When: 10 August

Where: Schuster Building Blackett Lecture Theatre, Schuster Building University of Manchester, Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom

Can you imagine what the cosmos above would look like if we all had superhuman vision? Immerse yourself in awe-inspiring images of nebulas, galaxies and supernova explosions that are invisible to the naked eye. Learn about doomsday meteorites that are like 4.5-billion-year-old time capsules from the beginning of our Solar System and the birth of planet Earth. Explore the Big Bang as we unveil actual evidence that reveals where we all came from.

Space School at The Chimes

When: 12 August

Where: The Chimes High Street Uxbridge UB8 1GA United Kingdom

Calling all budding astronauts! Experience the Space School and become a certified astronaut! You’ll get to try on your very own space suit, float around the international space station in virtual reality and visit a unique planetarium with the whole family! 

Ghost particle: The neutrino’s impact on cosmic science (Theatre)

When: 17 August

Where: The Royal Institution 21 Albemarle Street London W1S 4BS United Kingdom

Explore the elusive world of neutrinos. James Riordon guides you through the history and science behind the pursuit of the ghostly subatomic particle, the neutrino. 

With approximately 100 trillion neutrinos passing through us every second, these particles hold the key to unlocking some of the Universe’s greatest mysteries. From the discovery of neutrinos and their role in illuminating the Universe through neutrino telescopes to the challenges of detecting this elusive particle, this lecture explores the science behind the ghost particle. 

Additionally, you will explore the potential of neutrinos to answer some of the biggest questions in the universe, including the composition of dark matter and the Universe’s origin. This is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the science behind the neutrino and its impact on our understanding of the cosmos.

Activating Mercury Retrograde with Healing Vibrations

When: 26 August

Where: Kindred Yoga Brookmill Road #Unit D London SE8 4HL United Kingdom

During Mercury Retrograde we can take this as a gift from the Cosmos to slow down, a time to reflect and unwind, surrender to the flow of life connecting to our inner worlds. During the 90 minutes together you will be greeted with a reassuring smile and Aura cleanse, with a signature grounding spray where you are invited to relax and unwind the mind by connecting to your mat on the ground.

August 2023 is an absolute treat for space enthusiasts all across the UK, so no matter where you reside, there’s something fascinating for everyone to enjoy. Step outside and indulge in the celestial wonders awaiting you!

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An amateur rocket enthusiast with a keen interest in all space-related activity. Looking forward to the day when the UK starts launching rockets into space and I'm able to watch launches (from a safe distance of course).

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The Future of Space Tourism Is Now. Well, Not Quite.

From zero-pressure balloon trips to astronaut boot camps, reservations for getting off the planet — or pretending to — are skyrocketing. The prices, however, are still out of this world.

space tourism guide august 2023

By Debra Kamin

Ilida Alvarez has dreamed of traveling to space since she was a child. But Ms. Alvarez, a legal-mediation firm owner, is afraid of flying, and she isn’t a billionaire — two facts that she was sure, until just a few weeks ago, would keep her fantasy as out of reach as the stars. She was wrong.

Ms. Alvarez, 46, and her husband, Rafael Landestoy, recently booked a flight on a 10-person pressurized capsule that — attached to a massive helium-filled balloon — will gently float to 100,000 feet while passengers sip champagne and recline in ergonomic chairs. The reservation required a $500 deposit; the flight itself will cost $50,000 and last six to 12 hours.

“I feel like it was tailor-made for the chickens like me who don’t want to get on a rocket,” said Ms. Alvarez, whose flight, organized by a company called World View , is scheduled to depart from the Grand Canyon in 2024.

Less than a year after Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson kicked off a commercial space race by blasting into the upper atmosphere within weeks of each other last summer, the global space tourism market is skyrocketing, with dozens of companies now offering reservations for everything from zero-pressure balloon trips to astronaut boot camps and simulated zero-gravity flights. But don’t don your spacesuit just yet. While the financial services company UBS estimates the space travel market will be worth $3 billion by 2030, the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to approve most out-of-this-world trips, and construction has not started on the first space hotel. And while access and options — not to mention launchpads — are burgeoning, space tourism remains astronomically expensive for most.

First, what counts as space travel?

Sixty miles (about 100 kilometers) above our heads lies the Kármán line, the widely accepted aeronautical boundary of the earth’s atmosphere. It’s the boundary used by the Féderátion Aéronautique Internationale, which certifies and controls global astronautical records. But many organizations in the United States, including the F.A.A. and NASA, define everything above 50 miles to be space.

Much of the attention has been focused on a trio of billionaire-led rocket companies: Mr. Bezos’ Blue Origin , whose passengers have included William Shatner; Mr. Branson’s Virgin Galactic , where tickets for a suborbital spaceflight start at $450,000; and Elon Musk’s SpaceX , which in September launched an all-civilian spaceflight, with no trained astronauts on board. Mr. Branson’s inaugural Virgin Galactic flight in 2021 reached about 53 miles, while Blue Origin flies above the 62-mile mark. Both are eclipsed by SpaceX, whose rockets charge far deeper in to the cosmos, reaching more than 120 miles above Earth.

Balloons, like those operated by World View, don’t go nearly as high. But even at their maximum altitude of 18 or 19 miles, operators say they float high enough to show travelers the curvature of the planet, and give them a chance to experience the overview effect — an intense perspective shift that many astronauts say kicks in when you view Earth from above.

Now, how to get there …

Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, which are both licensed for passenger space travel by the F.A.A., are open for ticket sales. (Blue Origin remains mum on pricing.) Both companies currently have hundreds or even thousands of earthlings on their wait lists for a whirl to the edge of space. SpaceX charges tens of millions of dollars for its further-reaching flights and is building a new facility in Texas that is currently under F.A.A. review.

Craig Curran is a major space enthusiast — he’s held a reserved seat on a Virgin Galactic flight since 2011 — and the owner of Deprez Travel in Rochester, N.Y. The travel agency has a special space travel arm, Galactic Experiences by Deprez , through which Mr. Curran sells everything from rocket launch tickets to astronaut training.

Sales in the space tourism space, Mr. Curran acknowledges, “are reasonably difficult to make,” and mostly come from peer-to-peer networking. “You can imagine that people who spend $450,000 to go to space probably operate in circles that are not the same as yours and mine,” he said.

Some of Mr. Curran’s most popular offerings include flights where you can experience the same stomach-dropping feeling of zero gravity that astronauts feel in space, which he arranges for clients via chartered, specialized Boeing 727s that are flown in parabolic arcs to mimic being in space. Operators including Zero G also offer the service; the cost is around $8,200.

You can almost count the number of completed space tourist launches on one hand — Blue Origin has had four; SpaceX, two. Virgin Galactic, meanwhile, on Thursday announced the launch of its commercial passenger service, previously scheduled for late 2022, was delayed until early 2023. Many of those on waiting lists are biding their time before blastoff by signing up for training. Axiom Space, which contracts with SpaceX, currently offers NASA-partnered training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. Virgin Galactic, which already offers a “customized Future Astronaut Readiness program” at its Spaceport America facility in New Mexico, is also partnering with NASA to build a training program for private astronauts.

Would-be space tourists should not expect the rigor that NASA astronauts face. Training for Virgin Galactic’s three-hour trips is included in the cost of a ticket and lasts a handful of days; it includes pilot briefings and being “fitted for your bespoke Under Armour spacesuit and boots,” according to its website.

Not ready for a rocket? Balloon rides offer a less hair-raising celestial experience.

“We go to space at 12 miles an hour, which means that it’s very smooth and very gentle. You’re not rocketing away from earth,” said Jane Poynter, a co-founder and co-chief executive of Space Perspective , which is readying its own touristic balloon spaceship, Spaceship Neptune. If all goes according to plan, voyages are scheduled to begin departing from Florida in 2024, at a cost of $125,000 per person. That’s a fraction of the price tag for Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, but still more than double the average annual salary of an American worker.

Neither Space Perspective nor World View has the required approval yet from the F.A.A. to operate flights.

Unique implications

Whether a capsule or a rocket is your transport, the travel insurance company battleface launched a civilian space insurance plan in late 2021, a direct response, said chief executive Sasha Gainullin, to an increase in space tourism interest and infrastructure. Benefits include accidental death and permanent disablement in space and are valid for spaceflights on operators like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, as well as on stratospheric balloon rides. They’ve had many inquiries, Mr. Gainullin said, but no purchases just yet.

“Right now it’s such high-net-worth individuals who are traveling to space, so they probably don’t need insurance,” he said. “But for quote-unquote regular travelers, I think we’ll see some takeups soon.”

And as the industry grows, so perhaps will space travel’s impact on the environment. Not only do rocket launches have immense carbon footprints, even some stratospheric balloon flights have potentially significant implications: World View’s balloons are powered by thousands of cubic meters of helium, which is a limited resource . But Ted Parson, a professor of environmental law at the University of California, Los Angeles, said that space travel’s environmental impact is still dwarfed by civil aviation. And because space travel is ultra-niche, he believes it’s likely to stay that way.

“Despite extensive projections, space tourism is likely to remain a tiny fraction of commercial space exploration,” he said. “It reminds me of tourism on Mt. Everest. It’s the indulgence of very rich people seeking a transcendent, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the local environmental burden is intense.”

Stay a while?

In the future, space enthusiasts insist, travelers won’t be traveling to space just for the ride. They’ll want to stay a while. Orbital Assembly Corporation, a manufacturing company whose goal is to colonize space, is currently building the world’s first space hotels — two ring-shaped properties that will orbit Earth, called Pioneer Station and Voyager Station. The company, quite optimistically, projects an opening date of 2025 for Pioneer Station, with a capacity of 28 guests. The design for the larger Voyager Station , which they say will open in 2027, promises villas and suites, as well as a gym, restaurant and bar. Both provide the ultimate luxury: simulated gravity. Axiom Space , a space infrastructure company, is currently building the world’s first private space station; plans include Philippe Starck-designed accommodations for travelers to spend the night.

Joshua Bush, chief executive of travel agency Avenue Two Travel , has sold a handful of seats on upcoming Virgin Galactic flights to customers. The market for space travel (and the sky-high prices that come with it), he believes, will evolve much like civilian air travel did.

“In the beginning of the 20th century, only very affluent people could afford to fly,” he said. “Just as we have Spirit and Southwest Airlines today, there will be some sort of equivalent of that in space travel, too. Hopefully within my lifetime.”

space tourism guide august 2023

52 Places for a Changed World

The 2022 list highlights places around the globe where travelers can be part of the solution.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places for a Changed World for 2022.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

Italy :  Spend 36 hours in Florence , seeking out its lesser-known pockets.

Southern California :  Skip the freeways to explore the back roads between Los Angeles and Los Olivos , a 100-mile route that meanders through mountains, canyons and star-studded enclaves.

Mongolia : Some young people, searching for less curated travel experiences, are flocking to the open spaces of this East Asian nation .

Romania :  Timisoara  may be the most noteworthy city you’ve probably never heard of , offering just enough for visitors to fill two or three days.

India: A writer fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting Darjeeling, in the Himalayan foothills , taking in the tea gardens and riding a train through the hills.

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Site School

Space Tourism Guide [CASE STUDY]

Space Tourism Guide is my second site, the one I spun out of an idea I had on my first (main) site, Valerie & Valise . It initially launched in February 2017 on Medium, but didn’t gain traction until I migrated to WordPress in November 2017. (That’s why I count November as the official site “launch.”)

It focuses on space tourism and astrotourism (astronomy-focused travel experiences on earth), including stargazing, aurora and eclipse chasing, viewing rocket launches, and more. It helped prove the market for Dark Skies, the book I wrote in partnership with Lonely Planet which was released in 2019.

Since launching four years ago, STG has grown to become a stable traffic and income driver for my business. It has a highly cyclical nature – both annually and in time with both astronomical and meteorological trends.

Today, it typically peaks at around 150,000 page views per month in October each year, but had a really great month in August 2023.

Here’s the latest traffic chart for this site:

STG 6yr Chart

Click below to explore reports about this site. Note I did not publish reports prior to the four-year mark for this site, as Site School didn’t exist yet!

STG 4yr Card

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space tourism guide august 2023

10 Ways Students Can Prepare to #BeAnAstronaut

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space tourism guide august 2023

Gregory J. Harrigan

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space tourism guide august 2023

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2023 annual highlights of results from the international space station, space station research integration office.

The 2023 Annual Highlights of Results from the International Space Station is now available . This new edition contains bibliometric analyses, a list of all the publications documented in fiscal year 2023, and synopses of the most recent and recognized scientific findings from investigations conducted on the space station. These investigations are sponsored by NASA and all international partners – CSA (Canadian Space Agency), ESA (European Space Agency), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), and the State Space Corporation Roscosmos (Roscosmos) – for the advancement of science, technology, and education. These new peer-reviewed publications include insights that advance the commercialization of space and benefit humankind.

Over 4,000 scientific publications have been collected from more than 5,000 investigators during the life of the space station. Between Oct. 1, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, more than 300 publications were reported, most of them undergoing rigorous scientific review before release and dissemination. An in-depth bibliometric analysis of station science shows that the citation impact of these publications has been above national and global standards since 2010. This impact demonstrates that space station science continues to produce groundbreaking results for investigators around the world to further explore.

Some of the findings presented in this edition include:

  • Improved measurement of cosmic particles (Italian Space Agency)
  • New ultrasound technologies for detection of physiological changes (CSA)
  • Enhanced understanding of coordinated function in brain activity (ESA)
  • Development of better semiconductor materials (NASA)
  • Impacts of spaceflight on connective tissue for improved tissue remodeling (ROSCOSMOS)
  • Understanding the behavior of granular materials for better spacecraft design (JAXA)

The content in the Annual Highlights of Results from the International Space Station has been reviewed and approved by the Program Science Forum, a team of scientists and administrators from the international partnership of space agencies dedicated to planning, improving, and communicating the research operated on the space station.

See the list of Station Research Results publications here and read more about the space station’s annual highlights of results and accomplishments here .  

Discover More Topics

Space Station Research Results

space tourism guide august 2023

Space Station Research and Technology

space tourism guide august 2023

ISS National Laboratory

space tourism guide august 2023

Opportunities and Information for Researchers

space tourism guide august 2023

COMMENTS

  1. Space Tourism Guide ⋆ The Ultimate Travel Resource for Space Tourism on

    How to Plan a Grand Canyon Stargazing Trip in 2024. The Grand Canyon is one of the world's most famous natural formations. This 277-mile-long and up to 18-mile wide canyon is considered to be the 8th Wonder of the World. Every year, millions of visitors come from around the world to view this geological marvel.

  2. 7 Must-See Astronomical Events in the August Night Sky (2023)

    August 13 - Peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower. Photo credit: Paul Williams via Flickr. If you love the night sky, you already know what makes the night of August 13th so special - it's the peak of the Perseids! The Perseids meteor shower peaks every year in mid-August; in 2023, this peak is expected to occur in the morning of the 13th.

  3. Virgin Galactic successfully flies tourists to space for first time

    Thu 10 Aug 2023 15.29 EDT First published on Thu 10 Aug 2023 11. ... private astronaut mission Galactic 02 on 10 August. ... entry into the new era of space tourism helmed by other ...

  4. Virgin Galactic launches first tourism mission after decades of ...

    Virgin Galactic — the space tourism company Richard Branson founded — launched its first space tourism mission, a major step toward delivering on decades of promises. ... Fri August 11, 2023 ...

  5. Virgin Galactic's first space tourists finally soar, an Olympian and a

    This photo provided Virgin Galactic shows passengers during Virgin Galactic's first space tourism flight on Thursday Aug. 10, 2023. Virgin Galactic rocketed to the edge of space with its first ...

  6. Virgin Galactic flies its first tourists to the edge of space

    Virgin Galactic's rocket-powered plane reaches about 88km (55 miles) above the Earth as it takes its first space tourists on a long-delayed ride on August 10, 2023 [Andres Leighton/AP Photo]

  7. These are the space missions to watch in 2023

    Moon landings, private space travel, deep missions and more are on the menu in 2023. (Image credit: SpaceX) Jump to: 1st orbital Starship launch. Falcon Heavy launch. 1st launch of Vulcan Centaur ...

  8. Space Tourism: How to Visit Space as a Tourist

    Up to 2009, only 7 people made it into space as tourists, all travelling with the Russian Space Agency, and all paying in excess of USD $20 million. These weren't exactly hop-on hop-off trips either, with the participants undergoing months of training, and many of them actively running their own experiments in space.

  9. How to travel to space

    Go boldly, but pack lightly. By Ben Guarino. January 9, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. EST. 5 min. The space just above our planet is booming. Off-world trips are rapidly increasing: 42 of the 51 commercial ...

  10. Space Tourism Is Getting More Secretive

    00:00. 09:13. Listen to more stories on hark. Of all the high-flying tourism ventures spawned by space-obsessed billionaires, Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson, offers perhaps the most ...

  11. Everything you need to know about space tourism

    A joint project with the European Space Agency, Mars Sample Return is an extraordinarily complex technical effort that scientists say would be a crucial step toward future human missions to Mars ...

  12. News Archive

    Landslides on Mars suggest water once surrounded Olympus Mons, tallest volcano in the solar system. August's rare Super Blue Moon, the biggest full moon of 2023, rises tonight. Astronauts' immune ...

  13. 8 Must-See Astronomy Events in the September ...

    This post was originally published in August 2018, and was updated most recently in August 2023. Table of Contents. September 1 - Peak of the Aurigid Meteor Shower; ... Valerie is the founder and editor of Space Tourism Guide. She grew up in Alaska, has lived across the U.S., and traveled around the world to enjoy the night sky from many ...

  14. Your Guide to the Space Events in the UK of August 2023

    The young space explorers will learn about the science of time, travel, space, the universe, how to make a good cup of tea while travelling at light speed - and lots of other essential sciencey things! Women in Science: Space Tour. When: 8 August. Where: Natural History Museum Cromwell Road London SW7 5BD United Kingdom

  15. Space Tourism: A Comprehensive Guide For 2023

    Learn everything you need to know about space tourism in 2023. Discover the types, benefits, risks, companies, packages, prices, requirements, regulations, destinations, activities, and future of this industry. ... Space tourism: a guide for aspiring space travelers. This guide provides helpful information for those who are interested in ...

  16. Space Tourism Market Size, Share & Growth Report, 2030

    The global space tourism market size was valued at USD 851.4 million in 2023. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 44.8% from 2024 to 2030 ... 2023, and June 30, 2023, with the second commercial spaceflight, 'Galactic 02', scheduled for early August 2023. Plans envisaged the company conducting monthly spaceflights as part of its commercial ...

  17. 2023 in spaceflight

    On 10 August Virgin Galactic flew their Galactic 02 mission, the first VSS Unity flight carrying a space tourist. Galactic 03 mission flew on 8 September, followed by Galactic 04 on 6 October and Galactic 05 on 2 November 2023. All of these crewed suborbital missions were flown by Unity. Rocket innovation

  18. 21 Cool Spots for Stargazing in California

    There are plenty of options to enjoy the area once the night falls. If you don't want to stop, just drive down Movie Road and take in the stargazing show unfolding before your eyes as you go. 2. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a favorite California stargazing destination.

  19. How Space Tourism Is Skyrocketing

    Jason Lyon. By Debra Kamin. May 7, 2022. Ilida Alvarez has dreamed of traveling to space since she was a child. But Ms. Alvarez, a legal-mediation firm owner, is afraid of flying, and she isn't ...

  20. Space Tourism Guide [CASE STUDY]

    Space Tourism Guide is my second site, the one I spun out of an idea I had on my first (main) site, Valerie & Valise. ... Today, it typically peaks at around 150,000 page views per month in October each year, but had a really great month in August 2023. Here's the latest traffic chart for this site:

  21. space tourism guide august 2023

    Published Aug 15, 2023. + Follow. Job Posting: Space Tourism Guide. Company Name: Stellar Voyagers.... Commander C.J. Sturckow and co-pilot Kelly Latimer guide the VSS Unity spaceplane to a picture-perfect gliding touchdown on Spaceport America's 12,000-foot-long runway.... In August last year, Blue Origin conducted its sixth tourist spaceflight.

  22. 23 Unbelievable Spots for Stargazing in Utah

    4. Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands National Park is Utah's least-visited national park. And it's exactly that solitude that makes it one of the best spots for stargazing in Utah. To gaze at the celestial bodies, this park offers visitors one-day and multi-day stargazing expeditions.

  23. 2023 Annual Highlights of Results from the International Space ...

    The 2023 Annual Highlights of Results from the International Space Station is now available. This new edition contains bibliometric analyses, a list of all the publications documented in fiscal year 2023, and synopses of the most recent and recognized scientific findings from investigations conducted on the space station.

  24. Europe's travel strikes: Flight and train disruption you can ...

    Rail travel across Spain will be severely disrupted this month as staff walkout in the first half of March. There will be three days of 24-hour strikes on 1, 4 and 12 March .

  25. 15 Must-See Astronomy Events in the 2024 Night Sky

    August 4. September 2. October 2. November 1. November 30 (a blue moon!) December 30. These nights when the moon is at its darkest phase are good for stargazing, even if there isn't a specific event happening that night. But now let's get to those 2024 night sky events I recommend so you can plan for them.