Cover Virgin Galactic's SpaceShip Two VSS Unity spaceship (Photo: Ricky Carioti/ The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShip Two VSS Unity spaceship (Photo: Ricky Carioti/ The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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From suborbital flights to a lunar flyby, here’s your guide to the most exclusive private space tourism experiences
Space travel is no longer the exclusive domain of astronauts. Over the past decade, private companies have transformed the industry, offering exclusive space tourism experiences to those eager to venture beyond Earth—for a price. From exhilarating suborbital flights to space walks, these experiences are redefining not just adventure travel but also the very concept of private exploration.
Recent advancements in reusable rocket technology, high-efficiency propulsion systems and spacecraft design have made commercial spaceflight more viable than ever. Innovations such as SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Blue Origin’s New Shepard, and Virgin Galactic’s spaceplanes have dramatically reduced costs while improving safety and accessibility. Meanwhile, emerging projects in artificial gravity and sustainable life-support systems hint at a future where extended stays in orbit could become a reality.
For those seeking the ultimate adventure—and willing to take the leap—these private space missions promise an experience unlike any other. Here are some extraordinary journeys that might soon become part of your travel bucket list.
Orbital stay aboard the ISS through Axiom Space
Axiom Space is paving the way for private space tourism missions to the International Space Station. With multi-million-dollar seats on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, guests can experience life in orbit, complete with breathtaking views of Earth and scientific activities. Axiom’s long-term vision includes its own commercial space station, set to launch in the coming years, ensuring the experience evolves into a sustainable luxury offering.
Suborbital spaceflight with Blue Origin’s New Shepard
Blue Origin’s New Shepard provides a quick yet exhilarating journey past the Kármán line, the recognised boundary of space. Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness before returning to Earth in a fully autonomous capsule. The company has completed several successful flights with high-profile guests, making it one of the most accessible private space tourism options currently available.
Virgin Galactic’s space tourism flight on ‘VSS Unity’
For those seeking a smooth entry into space tourism, Virgin Galactic offers a suborbital flight aboard its spaceplane, VSS Unity. Passengers take off from a New Mexico spaceport, experience a few minutes of weightlessness and witness the curvature of Earth before gliding back to land. The company has commenced commercial flights, with more slots opening in the near future.
SpaceX Polaris Dawn: the first private spacewalk
Polaris Dawn, the first of three missions under the Polaris Program, aims to take private space travel to new heights with a historic commercial spacewalk. This multi-day orbital mission will push human endurance and space capabilities further. With SpaceX’s Crew Dragon leading the way, it represents the closest civilians have come to deep-space operations.
Lunar flyby with SpaceX’s Starship
The much-anticipated dearMoon mission, funded by Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa, is set to take artists and creatives on a journey around the Moon. Aboard SpaceX’s Starship, participants will orbit the Moon before returning to Earth. While the timeline has faced delays, the project remains one of the most ambitious private space travel initiatives.
Mars settlement experience on Future SpaceX Missions
SpaceX’s long-term goal of colonising Mars remains ambitious, but discussions around private participation are already underway. While commercial flights to the Red Planet are years away (think 2060s for the public), early investors and space travel enthusiasts can stay engaged with ongoing research, infrastructure plans and simulated training experiences in preparation for interplanetary living. Initial trips would include uncrewed cargo missions, resource exploration and terrain machine mapping.
Who qualifies for space travel?
The requirements for private space travel vary depending on the mission and provider. Suborbital flights, such as those offered by Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, require minimal training and are accessible to most healthy individuals. However, orbital and deep-space missions, such as Axiom Space’s ISS stays and SpaceX’s Polaris Dawn, involve more extensive training, medical screenings and physical fitness requirements. While space travel remains exclusive due to high costs, advancements in technology and infrastructure are expected to make it increasingly accessible in the future.
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