Topic: Space Tourism

SpaceX launch to space station: humanity finds new wings

If all goes well, the first private capsule will dock at the space station Thursday, marking a historic turning point in the use of private space companies. This will help free up NASA for riskier space exploration.

Microsoft billionaire launches new space venture

Stratolaunch Systems continues a trend for Paul Allen, who has funded several different spaceflight and astronomy efforts over the years.

Stratolaunch plane could make space tourism affordable

Stratolaunch plane, an enormous aircraft, will be a flying launchpad for space flights. Could this Stratolaunch plane turn extraterrestrial tourism into an everyday affair?

Want a space vacation? Russia luxury hotel in orbit will start at $1 million a week

A Russian company says it'll launch a luxury hotel into orbit. The space resort will offer views of Earth, sightseeing flights around the moon, and, of course, zero-gravity cabins.

With Atlantis landing, an era ends. Are private space firms ready for duty?

The Atlantis landing just before 6 a.m. Thursday marks the end of the US space shuttle program – and the transition to private firms as the cargo carriers to space. Perhaps they'll ferry people, too.

After the space shuttle, astronaut corps awaits a new mission

NASA's once-iconic astronaut corps will shrink but still play a vital role as the space shuttle era comes to an end.

A space tourism trip to the moon? It could happen by 2015.

A space tourism study by Space Adventures suggests that 140 private citizens could reach orbit by 2020, and it is promoting its own 17-day excursion that includes orbiting the moon.

Yuri Gagarin went into space 50 years ago. When will you get your turn?

Yuri Gagarin became the first human to enter space on April 12, 1961. Fifty years later, isn't it about time you get a chance to be an astronaut?

'Flying' submarine: Richard Branson shifts sights from outer space to deep sea

'Flying' submarine? British tycoon Richard Branson on Tuesday unveiled the one-man Virgin Oceanic Sub, which is capable of diving seven miles underwater to the deepest points in the ocean.

Spaceport America being developed for commercial spaceflight in New Mexico

Spaceport America will play host to a number of aerospace companies, including Virgin Galatic and Lockheed Martin.

Will space tourists be Earth polluters? Scientists sound a warning.

As firms prepare to launch the space tourism business, one study warns that the soot from the suborbital crafts' hybrid rocket motors could collect in the stratosphere and warm the poles.

Space tourism will drive climate change, study suggests

As space tourism increases, the soot and carbon dioxide emitted from rockets will contribute to climate change, new computer models predict.

Virgin Galactic glides closer to $200,000-a-seat space shots

Virgin Galactic gave its spacecraft a first test flight Sunday. It glided to a perfect landing from an elevation of 45,000 feet. Virgin Galactic hopes to start flights for tourists within 18 months.

Virgin Galactic spaceship test glide could happen this fall

Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo spacecraft, the VSS Enterprise, could make its first drop flights over California's Mojave Desert for glide and landing tests this fall, says the company.

Six great summer getaways...in space!

If you've got an adventurous spirit and a fat bank balance, these out-of-this-world holidays are for you.

American millionaire space tourist wants to fly again

American millionaire space tourist Gregory Olsen, is excited about the future of space travel -- especially if it means he might have another chance to fly.

Six private enterprises that could launch humans into orbit

Private spaceflight is entering a new era with the first test launch of the new Falcon 9 rocket Friday. Here are six companies vying to build a vessel that will carry civilians into space.

A private space industry is born

Human spaceflight today may be where the satellite business was early on: Governments initially handled everything, but eventually companies took over the business.

Russia becomes the world's taxicab to space

Though its program is nothing like it once was, the country uses its fleet of rockets to ferry tourists and satellites into orbit.

Space tourism temporarily grounded?

Space tourists: Wait for next seat could be long

Charles Simonyi returned to Earth Wednesday. It was the last trip on which nonastronauts could hitch a ride on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft.