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

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.

Blue Origin opens its new research and development building and headquarters in Kent, Washington on Jan. 6, 2020. Pictured from left: Washington State Representative Tina Orwall, US Congressman Denny Heck, US Congressperson Adam Smith, Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, US Congressperson Derek Kilmer, Washington State Senator Lisa Wellman, Washington State Representative J.T. Wilcox, and Blue Origin COO Terry Benedict.

Blue Origin Opens New Headquarters As It Aims For The Moon, Astronaut Flights

By Elizabeth Howell

Blue Origin opened a new headquarters in Washington State as the company aims to send private astronauts into suborbital space later this year.

Two SpaceX Falcon Heavy first-stage boosters ace their landings shortly after helping launch the Arabsat-6A satellite on April 11, 2019.

The Private Spaceflight Decade: How Commercial Space Truly Soared in the 2010s

By Mike Wall

Historians may look back at the 2010s as the decade in which commercial spaceflight really started taking off.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon lift off from Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

SpaceX: Facts About Elon Musk's Private Spaceflight Company

By Elizabeth Howell

SpaceX is a pioneering private spaceflight company that's been sending NASA's cargo to the space station since 2012.

Hugh Laurie stars as Captain Ryan Clark of the luxury space cruise ship, Avenue 5, in the new HBO comedy series.

HBO's 'Avenue 5' Space Cruise Comedy Gets a Jan. 19 Launch Date, New Trailer

By Scott Snowden

HBO drops a second trailer for its new comedy "Avenue 5" set aboard a luxury space cruise ship and starring Hugh Laurie. It premieres Jan. 19, 2020.

The Astro Fi 102 is a compact, app-driven telescope that's easy to use and easy on your credit card.

Best telescopes for beginners – 2020 guide

By David Sky Brody

Here are the best beginner telescopes for the money; a computerized 'GoTo' scope driven by your smartphone or tablet, as well as a manually operated scope that comes fully assembled.

The very big, the very small and the very far away: Your curious child can get closer to all of these sights with this kit, a real boredom-breaker from Levenhuk.

Best Telescopes for Kids — 2019 Guide

By Calla Cofield, David Sky Brody

Looking at the night sky can be an inspiring moment for kids, and the right telescope can drive an interest in astronomy for a lifetime.

Hugh Laurie stars as Cpt. Ryan Clark of the luxury space cruise ship, Avenue 5, in the a new HBO science fiction series launching in January 2020.

Set Your Phasers to 'Fun' With HBO's New Space Comedy 'Avenue 5'

By Scott Snowden

HBO's new comedy 'Avenue 5' set aboard a luxury space cruise ship: the Avenue 5.

See the Evolution of SpaceX's Rockets in Pictures

By Elizabeth Howell

Best Space Books and Sci-Fi 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.

In Photos: Virgin Galactic's Sleek Under Armour Spacesuits for Space Tourists

By Christine Lunsford

On Oct. 16, 2019, Virgin Galactic unveiled the sleek blue jumpsuits, jackets and other gear its passengers will wear on space tourist flights. See more photos of the novel new spacewear line!

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc., a passenger spaceflight company, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 28, 2019.

Virgin Galactic Goes Public on New York Stock Exchange After Completing Merger

By Tariq Malik

Space tourism has landed on Wall Street.

A still from a new video showing the lights coming on inside Virgin Galactic's third SpaceShipTwo vehicle.

Virgin Galactic Powers Up New SpaceShipTwo Vehicle (Video)

By Mike Wall

The Spaceship Co., Virgin Galactic's manufacturing subsidiary, recently wrapped up a landmark "Power On" test of the third SpaceShipTwo vehicle, which is being assembled in Mojave, California.

Virgin Galactic Unveils Under Armour Spacesuits and 'Spacewear' for Space Tourist Flights

By Tariq Malik

Virgin Galactic Virgin Galactic lifted the curtain Wednesday (Oct. 16) on its new line of Under Amour "spacewear" for passengers on suborbital trips aboard its SpaceShipTwo vehicles.

Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity glides back to Earth after a supersonic test flight on May 29, 2018.

Virgin Galactic May Raise the Ticket Price for SpaceShipTwo Again

By Hanneke Weitering

The price of a ticket to space on Virgin Galactic's suborbital SpaceShipTwo will likely increase as the private spaceflight company gears up for its first commercial flights.