In recent years, the concept of space tourism has shifted from science fiction to a tangible reality. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of several space companies, the dream of venturing beyond Earth’s atmosphere is becoming more accessible than ever before. Spearheaded by the likes of Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Orion Span, Boeing, Space Adventures, and Zero 2 Infinity, the dream of travelling to space for leisure is inching closer to fruition. However, the question remains: how can we ensure ‘transparency’ throughout this process? 

Although space tourism may seem like a luxury pursuit, experts predict that it will evolve into a lucrative US$12.7 billion industry by the year 2031. Beyond the financial gains for providers, this trend could have far-reaching implications. The increase in human spaceflight, even if driven by tourists, has the potential to spur new advancements in the field and reshape the industry landscape. 

Here are seven companies to keep an eye on if you’re interested in space travel, as they could revolutionize our world by expanding access to space.

Virgin Atlantic

Led by entrepreneur Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic has been at the forefront of the space tourism industry. Their spacecraft, VSS Unity, aims to offer suborbital flights, allowing passengers to experience weightlessness and witness the breathtaking views of our planet from space. The company has a long waiting list of people who want to be space tourists, and they need to pay £200,000 as a deposit to reserve a spot on the list.

SpaceX

Founded by Elon Musk, SpaceX has revolutionised the space industry with its reusable rockets and ambitious goals. While primarily focused on satellite launches and resupply missions to the International Space Station. In 2017 Musk’s plan was to send two paying customers on a journey around the moon as part of a lunar tourism mission in 2018. But the mission has been postponed.

Blue Origin

Spearheaded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is dedicated to making space travel more accessible. To this date, Blue Origin has been Virgin Galactic’s primary rival in the field of sub-orbital space tourism. Unlike Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin uses a conventional rocket called the New Shepard, which takes off and lands vertically. Their ultimate goal is to develop orbital space travel capabilities, providing passengers with a few minutes of weightlessness into the vastness of space.

Orion Span

Taking space tourism to new heights, Orion Span is developing the world’s first luxury space hotel, Aurora Station. This ambitious project aims to offer a 12-day immersive experience in space, allowing guests to live like astronauts and enjoy the wonders of microgravity. Even though the plans are not finalised, the company has already booked several months’ worth of hotel reservations. The price for reserving a space hotel room is over £7 million.

Boeing

Known for its expertise in aerospace technology, Boeing is also venturing into the space tourism industry. Through its partnership with NASA, Boeing is developing the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, which will transport astronauts to the International Space Station. In the future, this technology could potentially be used for commercial space tourism.

Space Adventures

With a track record of organizing private space missions, Space Adventures has already sent several tourists to the International Space Station. They offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences, allowing individuals to live out their dreams of space travel alongside professional astronauts.

Zero 2 Infinity

Taking a unique approach to space tourism, Zero 2 Infinity focuses on high-altitude balloon flights. Their Bloon spacecraft offers a more serene and gradual ascent to the edge of space, providing passengers with a different perspective and a taste of weightlessness.

As these companies push the boundaries of innovation and expand the horizons of human exploration, it’s safe to say that the prospect of space tourism is no longer confined to the realm of fantasy. With each successful mission and technological breakthrough, the dream of journeying to the stars becomes increasingly attainable, ushering in a new era of adventure and discovery in the final frontier!