Space tourism prices vary massively, what do you get for $250,000 versus $80 million? It’s been over 50 years since the moon landings. Branson, Musk & Bezos all have their own aspirations to conquer the final frontier. With private companies getting in tow with space agencies there are more and more opportunities for private astronauts to enjoy their own space adventures. Here is a rundown of the main players, prices and what bang you’ll get for your buck. How much does it cost to go into space?
1. Virgin Galactic
For a reported $250,000 you can buy a seat on Branson’s SpaceShipTwo flight. Your flight will last around 90 minutes and will take you across the 62 mile-high Karman line that marks the boundary between earth’s atmosphere and space. Celebrities such as Kate Winslet and Leonardo Di Caprio are amongst the estimated 1000 space tourists who have put their deposit down for this extraordinary trip into space with Virgin Galactic. However, after a 2014 fatal disaster that killed one of the pilots, delays have ensued meaning they have been waiting several years longer than expected. There is still no fixed date in place for when Branson’s company will start taking space tourists.
TOTAL COST: $250,000
2. Blue Origin
Jeff Bezo’s ‘New Shepard’ spacecraft (named after the first man in space, Alan Shepard), has had several successful test missions and is close to flying passengers to the final frontier. The company haven’t divulged ticket prices yet but the cost for space travel with Bezo’s company is likely to be close to Virgin Galactica’s SpaceShipTwo price of $250,000.
Jeff Bezos has also announced his intentions to take space tourists to the moon. It’s 50 years since the moon landings and Bezos reckons, it’s time to go back to the moon “this time, to stay”
TOTAL COST: UNKNOWN AT PRESESENT
3. Space X and NASA
Elon Musks SpaceX is has successfully carried out it’s first few missions to the ISS. Aboard the Dragon spacecraft two NASA astronauts blasted off the planet for a 2 month stay on the International Space Station. NASA recently announcing it will open up the ISS to space tourism and other business interests. A real buzz for billionaires has ensued ever since. For $35,000 a night, private astronauts will be able to stay for up to 30 days on board the space station when travelling on US spacecraft. A flight with Boeing and Elon Musk’s SpaceX company would set you back around $60 million for a return ticket.
TOTAL COST $60 million + $35,000 per night
4. Roscosmos
Since NASA retired their shuttle program in 2011, the only agency sending human’s into space since was the Russian space agency, Roscosmos. NASA have had to pay for all seats onboard the Soyuz spacecraft and this price has been steadily rising (a reported $82 million per seat). Prior to 2011 Roscosmos worked with private companies and in 2001 sent Dennis Tito, the world first space tourist for a 7 day space mission to the ISS (International Space Station).
Once NASA start launching from the US it is thought seats will become available again for private space tourists.
TOTAL COST: Estimated $20 million
5. Orion Span
Orion Span announced plans in 2018 to build the Aurora Station, the world’s first hotel for space tourism. The station will have two private suites catering for four guests and two crew members per stay. Guests will have to undergo a training program lasting around 3 months says Orion Span CEO Frank Bunger. A 12 day mission will cost guests $9.5 million per person making it a cheaper alternative to previous private space tourists who have paid upwards of $30 million to stay on the ISS.
TOTAL COST $9.5 million
6. Big Wide World
If you’re not quite ready to take the space plunge, or perhaps you are contemplating your own space flight and want to get a feel for what’s involved, our astronaut training program is the perfect fit. Experience astronaut training first hand, sleep where Yuri Gargarin lay before embarking on his voyage to the stars and be accompanied throughout by a former commander of the International Space Station (ISS).
We have also secured exclusive access to the next launch of the Soyuz spacecraft. Flown by private jet to a Soyuz launch with Big Wide World is a great first-step on the road to space travel.
TOTAL COST: FROM $40,000
