Last month, front pages everywhere lit up with a surprising headline: Katy Perry and a crew of female astronauts launched into space. The all-female team spent almost 11 minutes in space on 14 April as part of the New Shepard Programme’s 31st mission (NS-31), named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space.
New Shepard flights propel the astronauts upwards at over three times the speed of sound. After crossing the Kármán line—the widely recognised boundary of space 100km above Earth—passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness before gently returning to Earth.
This stunt received mixed reviews. Some argued it was a significant show of female empowerment whilst others dismissed it as a flashy publicity stunt. Many questioned both the timing and intent behind the spectacle.
This media frenzy invites us to consider two important points: could anyone go to space? And perhaps more importantly: would we even want to?
Before we dive into these questions, let’s clarify what space tourism actually is. In short, it’s where private clients pay (usually a lot) to experience travelling to outer space recreationally, rather than on a scientific research mission. On Blue Origin’s website, there’s even a page where you can sign up to book a flight to space. And while it’s not quite as simple as snagging a seat on an EasyJet flight, it’s getting scarily close.
Could anyone go to space?
Ticket prices for space tourism are not listed like cinema seats, but estimates range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Either way, they’re astronomical.
In the U.S. alone, roughly 38 million people live at or below the poverty line. It is safe to say that most people are not even in a position to consider going to space, but rather focusing on their next paycheck. In my view, unless you have A-list connections, a lottery-level stroke of luck or a few million to spare, it’s unlikely you’ll be hopping aboard a space shuttle anytime soon.
Who would actually take them up on this offer?
Imagine you did have the money – would you spend it on a 10-minute space trip? Some might avoid it just to dodge vicious public backlash.
Alongside the excitement, space tourism provokes some rather uncomfortable ethical questions. Could you really justify spending a million pounds on a 10-minute holiday to space when there are so many people in need of charity here on Earth?
Unsurprisingly, many people say no to this. Public opinion surveys show that space exploration remains low on the list of priorities. In fact, nearly a quarter of Americans think that space is one of the few areas where the government overspends—though that number has dropped from 59% back in 1973.
Nowadays, this argument is bolstered by environmental concerns. Although it is difficult to calculate precisely the effect space launches have on the environment due to the numerous variables involved, it could be significant given their growing frequency.
It’s safe to say that the backlash from Katy Perry’s trip was intense. She was reportedly left feeling like a ‘bruised piñata’ and, for a moment, the most hated person on the internet. Add to that the environmental concerns and it is clear that public enthusiasm for space tourism is… mixed.
Why are these companies offering space tourism in the first place?
“Taking more and more passengers out into space will enable them, and us, to look both outwards and back, but with a fresh perspective in both directions.” These words from Professor Stephen Hawking feature prominently in Virgin Galactic’ experience brochure. It’s a proud vision which goes beyond mere sightseeing.
For Virgin Galactic, the mission is clear: space tourism is the goal, not merely a stepping stone. But beyond the spectacle, there is a deeper logic behind these commercial spaceflights. With NASA facing potential funding cuts, space tourism has become essential for the rise of private space companies.
Space tourism offers companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic a valuable commercial revenue stream. This income does not purely fund joyrides for the ultra-wealthy: it subsidises the development of more ambitious and long-term space technologies. Such projects include Blue Origin’s proposed Orbital Reef habitat, NASA’s Artemis programme’s lunar missions, and longer-term plans for interplanetary exploration—including missions to Mars.
This growing public-private synergy—where agencies like NASA outsource parts of their operations to private companies—allows the income from tourism to accelerate space innovation while reducing taxpayer burden and the load on government budgets.
In theory, this means freeing up funding for deep-space exploration, cheaper cargo and crew launches, shifting innovation from government labs to more agile start-ups. This transition is already visible as NASA outsources to private companies.
And there is some serious money in this: the space tourism industry is forecasted to grow into a multi-billion dollar market. It’s part of the new so-called “Billionaire’s Space Race”. According to Morgan Stanley, the broader space economy could reach $1.1 trillion by 2040 – up from $350 billion today – with tourism playing a substantial role.
Whether or not you think rockets are the new cruise ships, one thing is clear: Bezos’ recent launch has made space tourism impossible to ignore. Whilst it’s unlikely to replace your next interrailing trip around Europe, it is certainly a space worth watching.