The dream of traveling to space, once the exclusive privilege of a handful of government-selected astronauts, is now becoming a reality for private citizens. The new era of commercial spaceflight has opened the door to the final frontier, and a growing number of companies are now offering tickets to the stars. But how does one actually go about becoming a space tourist? What does it cost? What does it take? And what can you expect from this ultimate adventure? This is your practical, step-by-step guide to booking a flight to space, a roadmap for turning the dream of a lifetime into the journey of a lifetime.
Step 1: Choose Your Destination – Suborbital, Orbital, or Beyond?
The first and most important decision you will need to make is what kind of spaceflight experience you are looking for. There are currently two main options available, with a third on the horizon.
Suborbital Flights: This is the most accessible and affordable option for space tourism. A suborbital flight will take you to an altitude of over 100 kilometers (62 miles), the internationally recognized boundary of space known as the Kármán line. You will experience a few minutes of weightlessness, with breathtaking views of the Earth’s curvature against the blackness of space. The entire experience, from takeoff to landing, lasts for a few hours. The leading providers in this market are Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin.
Orbital Flights: This is a much more ambitious and expensive option. An orbital flight will take you into a stable orbit around the Earth, where you will circle the planet every 90 minutes at a speed of over 17,500 miles per hour. You will experience several days of continuous weightlessness, with the opportunity to see multiple sunrises and sunsets each day. This is the true astronaut experience, and it comes with a much higher price tag and a more rigorous training regimen. SpaceX, in partnership with companies like Axiom Space, is the current leader in this market.
Lunar Flights: This is the next frontier of space tourism, and it is not yet available, but several companies are developing plans for missions that would take paying customers on a trip around the Moon. This would be a week-long journey, offering incredible views of the lunar surface and the iconic ‘Earthrise.’ This will be an even more exclusive and expensive experience, reserved for the most committed and well-funded space travelers.
Step 2: Check Your Bank Account – The Cost of a Cosmic Journey
A trip to space is not cheap. The price of a ticket varies depending on the type of flight and the provider.
Suborbital Flights: A ticket on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo currently costs $450,000. The price of a ticket on Blue Origin’s New Shepard is not publicly disclosed, but it is believed to be in a similar range, with some seats being auctioned off for millions of dollars.
Orbital Flights: A seat on a SpaceX Dragon capsule for a multi-day mission to the International Space Station or a free-flying orbit is estimated to cost in the tens of millions of dollars, with some reports suggesting a price tag of over $50 million.
Lunar Flights: The cost of a future lunar mission is purely speculative at this point, but it is safe to assume that it will be significantly more expensive than an orbital flight, likely running into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Step 3: The Booking Process – Reserving Your Seat
Once you have chosen your destination and are comfortable with the cost, the next step is to book your flight. The process varies from company to company, but it generally involves the following steps:
1. Initial Inquiry: You will typically start by filling out an application form on the company’s website. This will ask for your personal information, your reasons for wanting to fly to space, and your financial ability to pay for the flight.
2. Deposit: If your application is accepted, you will be required to pay a significant deposit to reserve your place in line. For Virgin Galactic, this is currently $150,000.
3. Contract: You will be required to sign a detailed contract that outlines the terms and conditions of your flight, including the risks involved and the company’s liability.
4. Full Payment: The full balance of your ticket will typically be due in the year leading up to your flight.
Step 4: Medical Screening and Training – Are You Fit to Fly?
While you don’t need to be a superhero to fly to space, you do need to be in reasonably good health. All space tourism providers have a set of medical requirements that you will need to meet. These typically include a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and a series of tests to ensure that you can withstand the physical stresses of spaceflight, such as the high G-forces of launch and re-entry.
In addition to the medical screening, you will also be required to undergo a period of training in the days or weeks leading up to your flight. The length and intensity of the training will depend on the type of flight. For a suborbital flight, it may be just a few days of training, covering topics like spacecraft safety, emergency procedures, and how to get the most out of your time in weightlessness. For an orbital flight, the training will be much more extensive, lasting for several weeks or even months, and it will cover a wide range of topics, from spacecraft systems and orbital mechanics to spacewalking and scientific research.
Step 5: Launch Day – The Journey of a Lifetime
After all the planning, the waiting, and the training, the big day will finally arrive. You will suit up, say goodbye to your loved ones, and board the spacecraft that will take you on the journey of a lifetime. The experience of a rocket launch is an intense and exhilarating one, with powerful G-forces pushing you back into your seat as you accelerate to incredible speeds. And then, suddenly, the engines will cut off, and you will be weightless, floating freely in the cabin with the breathtaking beauty of the Earth unfolding below you. It is a moment that has been described by those who have experienced it as life-changing, a profound and transformative experience that will stay with you forever. After your time in space, you will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, with the spacecraft’s heat shield glowing red-hot as it plummets back to Earth. And then, with a gentle touchdown, you will be back on solid ground, a newly minted astronaut with a story to tell and a new perspective on our place in the cosmos.