Space tourism, the idea of traveling to space for recreational purposes, has been a dream for many people around the world. With advancements in technology and private companies entering the space industry, space tourism is now becoming a reality.
But how much does it cost to experience such an extraordinary adventure? Let’s take a closer look.
Suborbital Flights
Suborbital flights are the most accessible form of space tourism currently available. These flights take passengers to the edge of space, where they experience weightlessness and see the curvature of the Earth. The most well-known company offering suborbital flights is Virgin Galactic.
The cost of a ticket for Virgin Galactic’s suborbital flight is $250,000 per person. This may seem like an exorbitant amount, but it includes multiple days of pre-flight training and accommodations at Spaceport America in New Mexico. Virgin Galactic has already sold over 600 tickets, with flights set to begin in 2022.
Orbital Flights
Orbital flights are more challenging than suborbital flights as they require higher speeds and altitudes to enter Earth’s orbit. Only a few companies are currently working on orbital flights for space tourists – SpaceX and Axiom Space being two of them.
SpaceX announced in 2018 that it would send Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa and eight other passengers on a trip around the moon aboard its Starship spacecraft. The cost of this trip has not been disclosed publicly, but Maezawa reportedly paid $110 million for his seat.
Axiom Space plans to launch its first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in early 2022. The cost of this mission is $55 million per person, which includes eight days aboard the ISS and months of training beforehand.
Lunar Tourism
Lunar tourism is still in its infancy, but some companies are already planning trips to the Moon. SpaceX is one of those companies, with plans to send tourists around the Moon as early as 2023.
The cost of a lunar trip has not been announced publicly, but it is expected to be significantly more expensive than an orbital flight. Some estimates put the cost at $1 billion per person.
Conclusion
In conclusion, space tourism is currently a luxury experience that only the wealthiest individuals can afford. Suborbital flights are the most affordable option, with tickets priced at $250,000 per person. Orbital flights and lunar tourism are significantly more expensive, with prices ranging from $55 million to potentially over $1 billion per person.
As technology continues to advance and more private companies enter the space industry, it’s possible that prices may decrease in the future. However, for now, space tourism remains an exclusive adventure for a select few.