Space tourism 101: Your next trip out of this world

Civilian Space Travel in 2021 

The future of space tourism is finally here- and yes, it is exactly what we envisioned it to be: a space race between three of the world’s richest men. 

Virgin Galactic, the first commercial spaceflight company, successfully launched its revolutionary reusable spaceship from New Mexico on July 11th, 2021. Founder of Virgin Galactic, Sir Richard Branson, joined the ride on their first successful trial run and made history by showing us all non-astronauts that the stars are within reach (for a hefty price, of course).

Branson announced that he’s hoping to begin a new era of space travel next year, allowing civilians to purchase a seat on their spacecraft for a truly out-of-this-world experience. According to the Virgin Galactic website, Branson believes “we are at the dawn of a golden age of space exploration which will transform our relationship with the Earth and with the cosmos.” 

Incredibly enough, Branson is not the only billionaire with their eyes set on the stars. Founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, has successfully joined the club with his space company, Blue Origin, on July 20th, falling short of Branson by just a few days. Bezos was accompanied by his brother, Mark, Wally Funk (82 years old) and Oliver Daeman (18 years old), making these two crew members the oldest and youngest astronauts to enter space.

Elon Musk, the famed innovator, is also preparing to break the Kármán line (aka the boundary between outer space and Earth’s atmosphere) with his SpaceX ship.

Both Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are expected to begin commercial operations in 2022, with tickets ranging from $200,000 - $250,000. This experience will include an 11 minute flight time with a few minutes of incredible weightlessness. SpaceX is planning a 3-day-long trip that orbits the moon at a cost around 200 times higher.

The Future of Space Tourism

It is a clear reality that commercial space travel is here to stay- and continue growing. According to a UBS Report, space tourism has the potential of a $3 billion dollar opportunity by 2030. 

Aside from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic, there are a few other companies you should be keeping an eye on when the time comes to book your own space tour. 

Boeing, through their Artemis program, is exploring the possibility of commercial space travel. And prepare to have your mind blown with the potential of a space hotel, The Voyager Station, opening in 2027. 

The Voyager Station can accommodate upwards of 400 guests including crewmembers. Senior design architect of Orbital Assembly Corporation, Tim Alatorre, described the design of the station as a rotating ring shape to simulate gravity, similar to a swirling bucket of water.

This incredible tourist attraction will include recreational games, such as basketball, with an anti-gravity twist. Not to mention, the space restaurant will be serving astronaut delicacies such as freeze-dried ice cream and even feature a full three-tier bar.

It is safe to say that the future of space tourism is right around the corner. Although the price for a coveted spot on a spaceship may be astronomical, we may soon see affordable options for the most adventurous travelers amongst us!

Out-of-this-world destinations on Earth:

While commercial space tourism may not be on your radar within the next few years, there are still plenty of places on Earth that are truly out of this world. From Martian landscapes to the settings of famous sci-fi films like Star Wars, here is our pick of the top 5 unearthly destinations you have to check out in your lifetime:

1. Wadi Rum, Jordan

This alien-like landscape has been a key player in Hollywood films involving Mars scenes because of the uncanny resemblance. The vast landscape, paired with the red hues of the sand dunes, makes Wadi Rum, Jordan a must-see. 

2. Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is on our list for several reasons: besides being a filming location for the Star Wars franchise, its incredible shallow waters and island caves are unlike any other on the planet. The incredible rock formations, jungles, beaches and oceans all intertwined creates a breathtaking experience to all who travel here. 

3. Death Valley National Park, U.S.

This U.S. national park is the perfect place for escaping Earth. There truly is nothing quite like these colorfully cascading hills anywhere else in the world. Not only does this destination look out of place, but you will feel much closer to the sun with temperatures that reach well over 100 degrees in summer months. 

4. Salar De Uyuni, Bolivia

Now this destination is somewhere you must visit if you plan on exploring Bolivia. Salar De Uyuni is the biggest salt flat in the world and looks eerily similar to the craterous surface of the moon. It is incredible during the day, in the evening, and especially when it is wet as it creates a mind-bending optical illusion through reflection.

5. Namib Desert, Namibia

Similar to Wadi Rum, Jordan, the Namib desert is extraordinarily similar to the landscape of Mars. This incredibly underrated destination is not something to skip over if you are traveling through Africa. Not only does this desert have the same coloring as Mars, but it is almost completely uninhabitable. This desolate desert is a perfect option to feel as if you’ve been transported into another world.