Space Tourism

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

Latest Updates

SpaceX's Dragon: First Private Spacecraft to Reach the Space Station

By Elizabeth Howell

The Dragon spacecraft first reached the International Space Station in 2012 and Crew Dragon became the first private, crewed spacecraft to reach the ISS in 2020.

Space tourists will face big risks, as private companies gear up for paid suborbital flights

By Sara M. Langston

While some hazards of spaceflight and the space environment — like G-forces, radiation, vibration and microgravity — are well documented, many risks remain unknown.

You can book a weightless flight with Zero Gravity again after hiatus due to coronavirus

By Chelsea Gohd

The company is relaunching with a new health and safety plan.

Best space and sci-fi books for 2020

By Space.com Staff

Space.com's editors present a reading list for space and sci-fi lovers, as well as children who are interested in astronomy and spaceflight.

William Shatner hosts a virtual panel on NASA's Artemis program at San Diego Comic-Con, on July 25, 2020. Panelists included NASA astronauts Nicole Mann and Kjell Lindgren as well as space technology expert LaNetra Tate, and spacesuit engineer Lindsay Aitchison.

William Shatner of 'Star Trek' fame hints at a private trip to space

By Elizabeth Howell

The actor who played astronaut Captain Kirk on "Star Trek" hinted during an online San Diego Comic-Con panel that he may be interested in going to space.

Virgin Galactic will unveil the passenger cabin of its SpaceShipTwo space plane, seen here at center during a June 25 test flight, in a livestream on July 28.

Virgin Galactic to debut passenger cabin design for SpaceShipTwo today. Here's how to watch live.

By Tariq Malik

Virgin Galactic lifts the veil on SpaceShipTwo's passenger cabin today (July 28) and you can watch it live online. Here's how.

Two Russian Orlan spacesuits sit empty on the International Space Station ahead of a spacewalk in 2014. Space Adventures and Roscosmos have booked a private spacewalk for one of two space tourists flying to the station in 2023.

Russia, Space Adventures to fly 2 tourists to space station in 2023. (Spacewalk included!)

By Meghan Bartels

A U.S. space tourism company has booked two passenger seats on a Russian Soyuz capsule headed to the International Space Station in 2023, and one of those tourists will take part in a spacewalk.

Artist's illustration of Space Perspective's balloon-borne Spaceship Neptune high above Earth.

Space Perspective wants to take tourists on balloon rides to the stratosphere

By Mike Wall

Space Perspective aims to send paying customers and payloads to the stratosphere in its Spaceship Neptune, a balloon-borne capsule that's scheduled to make its first test flights early next year.

See the Evolution of SpaceX's Rockets in Pictures

By Elizabeth Howell

An artist's view of Axiom Space's private habitat planned for the International Space Station, where a passenger trip costs $55 million.

The NASA monopoly on US orbital spaceflight is ending

By Chelsea Gohd

NASA's monopoly on American activities in low-Earth orbit (LEO) is ending, and that's just what the space agency wants.

Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity spaceliner captured this view of Earth during the vehicle's first trip to space, on Dec. 13, 2018.

'I'll pass': Trump not interested in flying on Virgin Galactic's space plane

By Mike Wall

President Donald Trump may be a fan of human spaceflight, but that doesn't necessarily mean he wants to visit the final frontier himself.

Alan Ladwig on a Zero Gravity Corporation flight to experience weightlessness, however brief, on a modified jet.

'See you in orbit?' New book tackles the enduring dream of public spaceflight

By Leonard David

In "See You In Orbit? Our Dream Of Spaceflight," former NASA manager Alan Ladwig takes a look back at the missions and milestones in developing public spaceflight opportunities.

Axiom Space, a Houston-based startup, has signed a deal with SpaceX to fly a commander and 3 private astronauts to the International Space Station as early as late 2021.

SpaceX to fly private astronauts to space station for startup Axiom in 2021

By Chelsea Gohd

Axiom, a start-up based in Houston, Texas, and SpaceX have agreed to work together to fly three private astronauts along with a fourth mission commander to the International Space Station.

The nightmare of the cruise experience is portrayed with poetic powers of perception in "Avenue 5."

HBO renews quirky sci-fi cruise comedy 'Avenue 5' for second season

By Scott Snowden

"Avenue 5," HBO's new space-based comedy starring Hugh Laurie and written by Armando Iannucci has been given the go ahead to proceed to season two.

SpaceX and Space Adventures have signed a deal to launch up to four passengers into Earth orbit on a Crew Dragon spacecraft like the one seen here. This Crew Dragon will launch NASA astronauts to the International Space Station in 2020.

SpaceX will fly space tourists on Crew Dragon for Space Adventures

By Tariq Malik

SpaceX just inked its first deal to launch space tourists into orbit on a Crew Dragon spacecraft. It will fly four passengers for Space Adventures.

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity spaceliner relocates to the company’s commercial hub at Spaceport America in New Mexico on Feb. 13, 2020.

Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane arrives at New Mexico spaceport

By Mike Wall

The company's newest SpaceShipTwo vehicle, VSS Unity, arrived yesterday (Feb. 13) at Spaceport America in New Mexico, the hub of Virgin Galactic's commercial operations.