Space Tourism: The Latest News, Features and Photos

Virgin Galactic customer Joanne Le Bon got a taste of weightlessness aboard a ZERO-G flight in September 2013.
Virgin Galactic customer Joanne Le Bon got a taste of weightlessness aboard a ZERO-G flight in September 2013. (Image credit: Steve Boxall)

Learn the latest news about space tourism and space tourist trips into outer space. Space.com looks at the growing business of space tourism. 

Related Topics: SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Incredible Space Tech, International Space Station, Interstellar Travel 

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Latest about space tourism

a circular patch with the words "space rescue service" sits against a photo of deep space, showing stars and purple gas clouds

US needs 'space rescue service' to help astronauts in distress, experts say

By Leonard David published

The lessons of Apollo, Skylab and the space shuttle appear to have been forgotten: The US needs a plan for how to deal with human spaceflight emergencies, experts say.

Space Exploration
A blue, white and black Blue Origin rocket stands in the Texas desert ready for launch on Oct. 7, 2024.

Blue Origin scrubs debut launch of 2nd human-rated New Shepard rocket (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

Blue Origin hoped to debut its second human-rated New Shepard vehicle on an uncrewed launch today (Oct. 7), but technical issues intervened.

Human Spaceflight
six people stand in front of a white rocket booster on a landing pad, holding a blue sign that reads "moondao"

Lucky ticket to space: How a Tennessee cardiologist made it to the final frontier

By Anastasia Stepanova published

Eiman Jahangir narrowly missed out on being a NASA astronaut — twice. But he made it to space anyway, thanks to persistence and some luck.

Human Spaceflight
polaris dawn crew members in black jumpsuits pose in front of spacex starship hardware

Polaris Dawn: Everything you need to know about the 1st mission of the Polaris Program

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

Reference Polaris Dawn was the first of three missions of the Polaris Program. The mission flew on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and was commanded by Jared Isaacman.

Reference
four astronauts in white spacesuits smile and wave inside a cockpit

SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts splash down to end historic spacewalk mission (video)

By Mike Wall published

The four Polaris Dawn astronauts splashed down safely off the coast of Florida today (Sept. 15), bringing an end to their historic commercial mission.

Human Spaceflight
The four private Polaris Dawn astronauts wave during a video downlink from their SpaceX Dragon capsule on Sept. 13, 2024.

SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts will return to Earth early Sunday. Here's how to watch live online

By Josh Dinner published

After five days in space aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon, the crew of Polaris Dawn will return to Earth early TKday, and you can watch the landing live.

Private Spaceflight
four people in blue flight suits laugh and smile as they float in zero gravity

SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts beam photos to Earth using Starlink satellites

By Mike Wall published

The private Polaris Dawn crew notched another milestone on Thursday (Sept. 12), beaming photos home using SpaceX's Starlink broadband satellites.

Human Spaceflight
four astronauts behind a flag floating in a small spacecraft

SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts talk US flag and kids' books from orbit on historic spaceflight (videos)

By Elizabeth Howell published

The Polaris Dawn crew called down to Earth to honor the anniversary of 9/11, and to do a book-reading event to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Human Spaceflight
a rocket lifts off at night above a bright plume of fire

New record! 19 people are orbiting Earth right now

By Mike Wall published

Three people launched toward the ISS today (Sept. 11) aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule, bringing the total number of people in Earth orbit to 19 — a new record.

Human Spaceflight
A closeup of a white-shelled astronaut helmet from the left, extending to the middle of the image. A copper-shaded visor stretches across the dimmed interior face. A black-tipped white glove tests on the visor.

How SpaceX built a new spacesuit for Polaris Dawn's private spacewalk (video)

By Andrew Jones published

SpaceX has given us a detailed look at their stylish and innovative new extravehicular activity suit ahead of it being worn during the Polaris Dawn mission's first-ever private spacewalk.

Tech
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