Space Tourism: The Latest News, Features and Photos

Virgin Galactic customer Joanne Le Bon got a taste of weightlessness aboard a ZERO-G flight in September 2013.
Virgin Galactic customer Joanne Le Bon got a taste of weightlessness aboard a ZERO-G flight in September 2013. (Image credit: Steve Boxall)

Learn the latest news about space tourism and space tourist trips into outer space. Space.com looks at the growing business of space tourism. 

Related Topics: SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Incredible Space Tech, International Space Station, Interstellar Travel 

Latest about space tourism

The International Space Station.

'Fully unlocking the orbital economy': This California company will fly astronauts to the space station in 2027

By Mike Wall published

NASA has selected the California startup Vast to operate the sixth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. Liftoff is targeted for summer 2027.

Human Spaceflight
An illustration of a globe surrounded by various lines with dots of different colors engulfing the sphere against a black background

China joins race to develop space-based data centers with 5-year plan

By Julian Dossett published

China will work on establishing space-based data centers as a part of a larger five-year plan to expand the nation's already significant presence in space.

Satellites
a small rocket carrying six people in a capsule lifts off, set against the rising sun

Chinese space tourism startup eyes 2028 for 1st crewed mission, signs celebrity for future flight

By Andrew Jones published

InterstellOr is already taking bookings for its planned suborbital flights and says it has attracted its first celebrity passenger, highlighting China's growing commercial space ambitions.

Human Spaceflight
a white rocket lifts off from a desert launch site into the dawn sky

Blue Origin pausing space tourism flights for at least 2 years to focus on moon plans

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin will ground its New Shepard suborbital vehicle for at least two years, in order to devote more resources to the company's crewed moon plans.

Private Spaceflight
a tiny rocket launches from a desert launch pad.

Blue Origin launches 6 space tourists to the final frontier after last-minute crew swap (video)

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin launched six people to suborbital space today (Jan. 22). It was the 17th human spaceflight for the company, which was founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos.

Private Spaceflight
a small rocket carrying six people in a capsule lifts off, set against the rising sun

Watch Blue Origin launch 6 people to suborbital space today

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin will launch six people to the final frontier on Thursday (Jan. 22), and you can watch the space tourism mission live.

Private Spaceflight
a small rocket carrying six people in a capsule lifts off, set against the rising sun

Blue Origin launches 1st wheelchair user to space and back (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

Blue Origin launched wheelchair user Michi Benthaus and her NS-37 five crewmates aboard a New Shepard rocket from West Texas on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025.

Private Spaceflight
a white rocket lifts off from a desert launch site into the dawn sky

Blue Origin targeting Dec. 18 for historic 1st spaceflight of wheelchair user

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin is targeting Dec. 18 for its NS-37 suborbital launch, which will fly a wheelchair user to space for the first time ever.

Private Spaceflight
Michaela Benthaus has taken numerous parabolic flights carrying out unique accessibility experiments.

Blue Origin's next space tourism flight will break new ground for people with disabilities

By Leonard David published

Blue Origin's upcoming NS-37 space tourism launch has special significance: One of the passengers is Michi Benthaus, who will become the first wheelchair user in space.

Human Spaceflight
a white rocket lifts off from a desert launch site into the dawn sky

Next Blue Origin tourist launch will fly wheelchair user to space for 1st time

By Mike Wall published

Blue Origin's next space tourist launch will make history, sending a wheelchair user to the final frontier for the first time.

Private Spaceflight
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