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. 

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

Latest Updates

The Polaris Dawn crew spent some time in the pool to prepare for their upcoming mission to Earth orbit aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

Polaris Dawn crew training for epic private SpaceX mission this fall

By Josh Dinner published

The crew for the first mission in the privately funded Polaris program is scaling new heights to prepare for their record-breaking SpaceX flight later this year.

The crew of Blue Origin's NS-21 suborbital mission enjoys their time in space on June 4, 2022. From left to right: Victor Vescovo, Victor Correa Hespanha, Katya Echazarreta, Hamish Harding, Jaison Robinson and Evan Dick.

To space and back: Blue Origin's NS-21 crew wants to go again (and again)

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

Less than two hours after they landed from space, the six members of Blue Origin's fifth crewed mission were all sure of at least one thing: one flight into space was not enough.

Photo of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launching the NS-20 space tourist mission in March 2022.

Blue Origin space tourist launches: Live NS-21 mission updates

By Tariq Malik, Meghan Bartels, Robert Z. Pearlman published

Blue Origin will launch 6 passengers on the NS-21 space tourism mission on June 4, 2022. Here are live updates of the launch.

The six members of the NS-21 crew. Left to right: Victor Vescovo, Victor Correa Hespanha, Katya Echazarreta, Jaison Robinson, Hamish Harding and Evan Dick.

Photos: Blue Origin's NS-21 space tourism mission

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin's fifth human spaceflight, a mission called NS-21, launched from the company's West Texas site on June 4, 2022. See photos here.

Blue Origin's NS-21 flight launched on June 4, 2022.

Blue Origin launches 6 people on company's 5th space tourism flight

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin sent six people to suborbital space today (June 4), acing its fifth human spaceflight mission and notching several milestones in the process.

Photo of a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launching the NS-20 space tourist mission in March 2022.

Watch Blue Origin launch 6 space tourists on a New Shepard rocket today

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin will launch six more people to the final frontier this morning (June 4), and you can watch the action live.

The NS-21 group of space tourists flying aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft include six individuals. Top row, left to right: Evan Dick, Katya Echazarreta and Hamish Harding. Bottom row, left to right: Victor Correa Hespanha, Jaison Robinson and Victor Vescovo.

Blue Origin targets June 4 for next space tourist mission after delay

By Mike Wall published

NS-21, the next mission of Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle, is now targeted for Saturday (June 4) — about two weeks later than originally planned.

The Ax-1 SpaceX Dragon capsule on the deck of a recovery ship shortly after splashdown on April 25, 2022.

NASA denies claim of dangerous heat shield issue during SpaceX's Ax-1 mission

By Josh Dinner published

NASA has refuted a report alleging a potentially dangerous complication during SpaceX's Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station last month.

Blue Origin's suborbital New Shepard vehicle fires up to launch William Shatner, Chris Boshuizen, Glen de Vries and Audrey Powers to the final frontier on Oct. 13, 2021.

Blue Origin delays next space tourist launch from May 20 due to vehicle issue

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin is no longer targeting Friday (May 20) for the launch of its next space tourist mission after discovering an issue with its New Shepard vehicle. A new launch date has not been announced.

The six people flying on Blue Origin's NS-21 mission. Top row, left to right: Evan Dick, Katya Echazarreta and Hamish Harding. Bottom row, left to right: Victor Correa Hespanha, Jaison Robinson and Victor Vescovo.

Meet the crew of Blue Origin's NS-21 space tourism launch

By Elizabeth Howell published

The six crewmembers include one person who has flown to space with Blue Origin before.

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launches a crew of six on Dec. 11, 2021.

Blue Origin's NS-21 space tourism launch: When to watch and what to know

By Elizabeth Howell published

The fifth crewed flight of Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle is scheduled to lift off Saturday (June 4) at 9:00 a.m. EDT (1300 GMT).

The NS-21 group of space tourists flying aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft include six individuals. Top row, left to right: Evan Dick, Katya Echazarreta and Hamish Harding. Bottom row, left to right: Victor Correa Hespanha, Jaison Robinson and Victor Vescovo.

Blue Origin announces crew for next suborbital space tourism launch

By Elizabeth Howell published

The passengers on Blue Origin's fifth crewed flight, known as NS-21, include the first Mexican-born woman to visit space.

A rendering of World View space capsule ascending into Earth's stratosphere.

Start-up World View sells 1,000 tickets for balloon trips near edge of space

By Tereza Pultarova published

Space balloon start-up World View has signed up 1,000 customers for trips near the edge of space beginning in 2024.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson soars like Superman while in weightlessness during his Unity 22 launch on the SpaceShipTwo VSS Unity on July 11, 2021.

Virgin Galactic pushes 1st planned commercial passenger flight to 2023

By Elizabeth Howell published

Aspiring space tourists will need to wait a little longer before soaring into suborbital space with Virgin Galactic.

SpaceX's Starship on the launch pad at Starbase on March 18, 2022.

SpaceX: Facts about Elon Musk's private spaceflight company

By Elizabeth Howell published

Reference SpaceX is the maker of Starship and a private space company known for its International Space Station missions.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 143 small satellites into orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Jan. 24, 2021 to mark the Transporter-1 rideshare mission.

Falcon 9: SpaceX's workhorse rocket

By Elizabeth Howell published

Reference The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is the vehicle that launches satellites, Dragon cargo spacecraft and Crew Dragon spacecraft to orbit.

The Ax-1 SpaceX Dragon capsule on the deck of the recovery ship Megan shortly after splashdown on April 25, 2022.

Axiom Space, SpaceX change the landscape of private spaceflight with Ax-1 mission

By Chelsea Gohd published

Four private astronauts made history today (April 25), splashing safely down on Earth after completing the first fully private crewed mission aboard the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying the four crewmembers of the private Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station bobs in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida just after splashing down on April 25, 2022.

Private Ax-1 astronauts return to Earth, ending historic SpaceX mission

By Mike Wall published

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying the four crewmembers of the Ax-1 mission splashed down off the coast of Florida today (April 25), bringing the groundbreaking flight to a close.

The Axiom-1 space mission is returning from the International Space Station after a 15-day stay.

Watch SpaceX's private Ax-1 astronaut crew return to Earth today live online

By Tereza Pultarova published

The first American privately funded mission to the International Space Station ends today with an anticipated splash down off the coast of Florida at about 1:06 p.m. EDT (1706 GMT).

The crew of Axiom Space's Ax-1 mission pose for a photo inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft while training. They are: (from left) Mark Pathy; Larry Connor; Michael López-Alegría; and Eytan Stibbe.

SpaceX Ax-1 private mission to space station: Live updates

By Space.com Staff published