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

Virgin Galactic Boldly Goes with Under Armour for Suborbital Spacesuits

By Mike Wall

Under Armour will design the gear worn by passengers and pilots on Virgin Galactic's suborbital spaceflights, representatives of both companies announced today (Jan. 24).

Richard Branson Expects Commercial Virgin Galactic Flights to Begin in Mid-2019

By Jeff Foust

Why Elon Musk Turned to Stainless Steel for SpaceX's Starship Mars Rocket

By Mike Wall

Elon Musk has opened up about a big design change to SpaceX's interplanetary spaceship.

SpaceX to Shift Starship Work From California to Texas

By Jeff Foust

Less than a week after laying off 10 percent of its employees, SpaceX said Jan. 16 that it plans to shift work on at least prototypes of its next-generation launch system from Los Angeles to Texas.

In Photos: SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Launches the Last Iridium Next Communications Satellites

By Hanneke Weitering

SpaceX launched its eighth and final batch of Iridium Next communications satellites into orbit on Jan. 11, 2019. See photos of the historic mission here!

SpaceX is laying off about 10 percent of its workforce to focus resources on its new launch vehicle and satellite projects

SpaceX Laying Off 10 Percent of Its Workforce

By Jeff Foust

Splashdown! SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth After 2nd Space Station Delivery

By Meghan Bartels

SpaceX's fourth Dragon capsule to make two trips to the International Space Station has returned to Earth overnight, with splashdown confirmed in the Pacific Ocean.

'Starman' Aboard: Hot Wheels Toy Features SpaceX Spacesuited Driver

By Robert Z. Pearlman

There's a Starman waiting in the sky, and now in stores, too.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the final 10 Iridium Next communications satellites for a new constellation launches from Space Launch Complex 4E of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Jan. 10, 2019.

SpaceX Launches 10 Iridium Satellites Into Orbit, Then Sticks Rocket Landing

By Meghan Bartels

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lofted 10 final Iridium Next satellites into orbit today (Jan. 11), completing a two-year, eight-launch contract between the two companies.

SpaceX Finishes Building 'Starship' Hopper Prototype (Photo)

By Mike Wall

Assembly of the test-flight version of SpaceX's Mars-colonizing "Starship" vehicle is now complete, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk announced Thursday night (Jan. 10).

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Iridium-8 mission stands atop Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California a day before a scheduled Jan. 11, 2019 launch. The mission will launch 10 Iridium Next communications satellites into

You Can Watch SpaceX Launch 10 Satellites and Land a Rocket Today! Here's How.

By Mike Wall

SpaceX will launch 10 communications satellites and attempt a rocket landing Friday morning (Jan. 11), and you can watch all the action live.

Virgin Orbit aircraft with rocket booster

Virgin Orbit: The Private Space Company That Aims to Launch Small Satellites

By Adam Mann

This Virgin Galactic spin-off aims to launch hundreds of small satellites into space at once, aboard their large LauncherOne rocket.

SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft and its Falcon 9 rocket stand atop Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida during tests ahead of its first demonstration flight, which will now lift off no earlier than February 2019.

SpaceX, NASA Push 1st Crew Dragon Test Flight to February

By Tariq Malik

The first uncrewed test flight of SpaceX's new Dragon spacecraft for astronauts will now launch no earlier than February, NASA officials said today (Jan. 10).

Virgin Galactic Farnborough Press Event Tent

Virgin Galactic: Richard Branson's space tourism company

By Elizabeth Howell

Entrepreneur Richard Branson expects to take paying passengers into space in the next few years.

Final SpaceX Launch of Iridium Next Communications Constellation Targeted for Jan. 11

By Meghan Bartels

SpaceX's final launch of the Iridium Next communications constellation has been delayed again, according to the satellite company, with liftoff now targeted for no earlier than Jan. 11.

Close But No Cigar: Watch SpaceX's Mr. Steven Just Miss Catching a Rocket Fairing in Test (Video)

By Mike Wall

SpaceX's net-equipped boat came agonizingly close to plucking a falling payload fairing out of the sky during a recent test, a new video shows.

SpaceX's 'Starship' Hopper Prototype Could Make 1st Test Flight in Weeks, Elon Musk Says

By Mike Wall

SpaceX could take its prototype Mars-colonizing spaceship out for its first spin very soon.

A crew access arm reaches toward SpaceX's first Crew Dragon spacecraft atop its Falcon 9 rocket on Launch Pad 39A of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Jan. 3, 2019 ahead of an uncrewed test flight.

Behold! SpaceX's 1st Crew Dragon Spaceship Is On the Launchpad

By Tariq Malik

The private spaceflight company SpaceX has moved its first Dragon spaceship designed for astronauts to the launchpad ahead of an uncrewed test flight that's just weeks away.