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

Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity during a free flight in Earth's atmosphere on April 26, 2023.

Suborbital explorers: Meet Virgin Galactic's test pilots in this new video

By Robert Lea published

Virgin Galactic has released a video introducing the public to the pilots who fly the company's VSS Unity space plane, which is gearing up for its final test flight.

A white and black SpaceX Dragon Ax-2 capsule docked the space station with blue Earth behind.

SpaceX Dragon capsule docks at space station with private Ax-2 astronaut crew (video)

By Josh Dinner last updated

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying four private astronauts arrived at the International Space Station early Monday (May 22) after a record-setting trip to the orbiting laboratory

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft "Freedom" begins its journey to the International Space Station with the 600th person to enter Earth orbit after launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, May, 21, 2023.

SpaceX launch of private Ax-2 astronauts just put the 600th person in orbit

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

The 600th person to enter Earth orbit, Rayyanah Barnawi of Saudi Arabia, is now on her way to the International Space Station on Axiom-2, the second commercial mission to fly there.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the Ax-2 mission from Florida on May 21, 2023.

SpaceX launches Ax-2 private astronaut mission to station, 1st Saudi woman in space on board (video)

By Josh Dinner published

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida today (May 21), kicking off the pioneering private Ax-2 mission to the space station.

The Axiom Space Bear, a larger version of the Ax-2 zero-g indicator "GiGi," features Build-A-Bear's "Happy Hugs Teddy" wearing Axiom Space's AxEMU spacesuit.

Build-A-Bear creates fluffy 'zero-g indicator' for Axiom Space Ax-2 crew

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

The zero-g indicator flying on the second private mission to the International Space Station may be the first that needed assembly. Ax-2's 'GiGi' is the first Build-A-Bear to launch into orbit.

a white rocket on a launch pad under a blue sky

What time is the SpaceX Ax-2 private astronaut launch for Axiom Space?

By Tariq Malik last updated

SpaceX is launching the second all-private mission to the International Space Station today (May 21) and if you're hoping to follow it online, you need to know when it actually lifts off.

Fisher Space Pen has produced four new model pens under a new partnership with Axiom Space, including a version of its original Astronaut pen finished in black titanium nitride.

Axiom crews to use custom Fisher space pens on private missions

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

When former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson launches on her first commercial mission, she will have a familiar tool along with her. Whitson will be among the first to use Axiom Space Fisher space pens.

the sun rising behind Axiom Space's SpaceX Dragon capsule

SpaceX rocket 'go' to launch four private astronauts on Ax-2, a mission filled with 1sts, today

By Brett Tingley last updated

Axiom Space is ready to launch its second-ever private mission to the International Space Station.

The Axiom Space Ax-2 private astronaut crew smiles in their Dragon capsule

Watch SpaceX's Ax-2 private astronaut mission dock at ISS in this free livestream on May 22

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's next private spaceflight will launch four astronauts to the International Space Station on Sunday (May 21) and you can watch the mission live online in a series of free webcasts.

The Ax-2 crew in the launch access arm at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, at the launch pad. From left: mission specialist Ali Alqarni, commander Peggy Whitson, pilot John Shoffner and mission specialist Rayyanah Barnawi.

Excitement builds for Ax-2 SpaceX launch that will send 1st Saudi woman to space

By Robert Lea published

The Ax-2 mission is set to lift off on Sunday (May 21) atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, sending the first private mission commanded by a woman, and the first female Saudi astronaut, to space.

Ax-2

Saudi Arabia's 1st female astronaut hopes kids follow in her footsteps

By Mike Wall published

Rayyanah Barnawi, who will become the first Saudi woman in space when the private Ax-2 mission launches on Sunday (May 21), hopes she's blazing a trail for others to follow.

Ax-2 astronauts with their linked hands raised as they walkout in spacesuits

SpaceX's Ax-2 mission for Axiom Space in photos (gallery)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

A new crew of four people is bound for orbit on the Ax-2 mission, which will fly to the International Space Station using SpaceX hardware. See photos of the Ax-2 mission here.

SpaceX rolled its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule out to the launch pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on May 18, 2023, ahead of the planned May 22 launch of the Ax-2 private astronaut mission.

SpaceX rolls rocket to pad for Sunday's Ax-2 private astronaut launch (photos)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX rolled its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule out to the launch pad on Thursday (May 18) ahead of Sunday's (May 21) planned Ax-2 private astronaut launch.

Members of Axiom SpaceX's Ax-2 mission to the International Space Station, from left to right: Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot John Shoffner, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi.

Axiom Space's Ax-2: What to know about the 2nd private astronaut mission to the space station

By Josh Dinner published

Here's what you need to know about the four-person Ax-2 mission to the International Space Station, which is scheduled to launch on May 21.

four headshots side by side of ax-2 crew members

Meet the 4 astronauts of SpaceX's Ax-2 mission for Axiom Space

By Elizabeth Howell published

The second all-private mission to the International Space Station by Axiom Space will launch no earlier than May 21. Learn more about the 4 crew members on board.

The crewof Axiom Space's Ax-2 mission on SpaceX's crew access arm at Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. From left: Saudi astronaut Ali Alqarni, Axiom Space's Peggy Whitson, paying customer John Shoffner and Saudi astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi.

Ax-2 private astronauts can't wait for their May 21 SpaceX launch to the space station

By Mike Wall published

The four astronauts of the upcoming Ax-2 mission are eager to leave Earth and head for the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches Axiom Space's Ax-1 mission to the International Space Station on April 8, 2022.

SpaceX Ax-2 private astronaut mission is 'go' for May 21 launch

By Mike Wall published

The four-person Ax-2 will launch at 5:37 p.m. ET on May 21 and arrive at the International Space Station about 16 hours later, if all goes according to plan.

Artist's illustration of a SpaceX Dragon capsule approaching Vast Space's planned Haven-1 orbiting outpost.

Vast Space to launch 1st private station on SpaceX rocket in 2025

By Mike Wall published

California-based startup Vast Space plans to launch its Haven-1 space station aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket no earlier than August 2025.

Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity during a free flight in Earth's atmosphere on April 26, 2023.

Virgin Galactic is just weeks away from next astronaut test flight, eyes space tourist flights soon

By Mike Wall published

Virgin Galactic plans to launch its fifth spaceflight late this month, a test that aims to pave the way for the start of commercial service next month.

Four private Axiom Space Ax-2 astronauts post inside a space station mockup

SpaceX launch of Ax-2 private astronaut mission now targeted for May 21

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's launch of Ax-2, the second private crewed mission to the International Space Station, is now targeted for the evening of May 21.