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Space Tourism: How to Visit Space as a Tourist

Last updated: August 28, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 4 Comments

Despite the name of this blog, I have been distressingly earth bound for all of my years thus far. Given recent developments in space exploration technology though, hope is not yet lost for the dream of going into space as a tourist – without having to shell out the millions of dollars that past tourists have paid!

In today’s post, I’m going to talk about a few things. I’m going to cover where space travel & exploration is today.

I’m going to talk about what options we have now, and may have in the future, for getting into space as a tourist. And I’m also going to cover a few ways those of us stuck on Earth without access to a giant pile of cash can still get our space fix around the world!

The State of Space Travel as a Tourist in 2023

Huge strides are happening right now in space exploration, particularly with private companies looking at opening up space to your average person. Admittedly, right now, space tourism isn’t exactly accessible.

Up to 2009, only 7 people made it into space as tourists, all travelling with the Russian Space Agency, and all paying in excess of USD $20 million.

These weren’t exactly hop-on hop-off trips either, with the participants undergoing months of training, and many of them actively running their own experiments in space. So to call them space tourists is perhaps a bit of a misnomer.

However, things have now changed, and trips into space are becoming more affordable. Admittedly, they aren’t exactly “budget”, but they are less than $20 million a go.

So what’s changed?

Well, put simply, private investment. Whilst massive government organisations like NASA , the Russian Space Agency and the European Space Agency are always researching and expanding their space exploration efforts, their focus isn’t exactly on getting folks like you and me into space – at least not in the near term. Their focus is on long term scientifically focused exploration missions, with perhaps the most exciting being NASA’s Journey to Mars .

Other organisations though, see the potential for space based tourism as a way to generate funds and publicity for their projects. There are three main players in the space tourism business right now – Virgin Galactic , SpaceX and Blue Origin .

Let’s take a look at the main players with whom you have a real chance of getting into space within the next few years.

How to Go To Space As A Tourist

Other than flagging down a passing UFO Ford Prefect style, or signing up to be an astronaut with a government agency, getting into space is a bit tricky. But that’s all changing, and these are the companies with whom you are most likely to be able to travel into space.

1. Virgin Galactic

Part of the Virgin Group headed up by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic currently offers sub-orbital flights to paying passengers aboard their SpaceShipTwo and SpaceShipThree craft.

Sub-orbital means that you’re not high enough to actually orbit the earth, but as the goal you do pass the 100km line that marks the edge of space, you will technically be in space, and also experience weightlessness. Hurrah!

The good news is that as of June 2023, commercial space flights have actually commenced. Trips are scheduled to go monthly, and you can now buy tickets for a voyage into space with Virgin Galactic. They are currently on sale for $450,000.

Admittedly, $450,000 USD isn’t exactly small change, but it’s a lot less expensive than the $20 million that previous space travellers have paid. For your money, you get three days of training at Spaceport America in New Mexico, a flight into space, a somewhat incredible view and a period of weightlessness. Not too bad.

2. Blue Origin

Owned by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is a private company which initially appeared to be focusing on sub-orbital flight, much like Virgin Galactic.

Unlike Virgin Galactic though, which uses a combination of a normal plane and a rocket plane to achieve the necessary space altitude, Blue Origin are using more conventional rocket technology, with a focus on re-usable components that cut the cost of launches.

Other than the spacecraft, the experience is largely the same – a sub-orbital flight that comprises a few days of training in Texas, a journey lasting around 11 minutes to up beyond the 100km line, weightlessness and some incredible views.

The technology to do this will look familiar to any fans of existing space flight technologies, including the capsule that returns to Earth by parachute, meaning that there are fewer technical hurdles to overcome.

As of 2021, flights have commenced on the New Shepherd, with Jeff Bezos being the first into space. The ticket for the first commercially available seat in the July 2021 launch was auctioned off for a cool $28 million.

Since that launch, there have been a number of flights with paying customers.

Regular pricing isn’t set, although it’s currently rumored to be around $1 million per seat. A timeframe for general availability of commercial flights isn’t yet known. You can sign up to be kept informed and updated however.

Perhaps even more excitingly than the New Shepherd program is its successor – the New Glenn program. This should offer longer duration, possibly even orbital flights, although details are currently sparse on the ground, with operations aimed to launch in late 2024. We do know however that priority on these trips will be given to New Shepherd customers.

Last in our trio of serious contenders for firms that will take your money and send you into space in the next few years is SpaceX .

SpaceX is owned by Elon Musk, who is particularly famous for being the CEO and co-founder of Tesla Inc, the electric car and battery manufacturer, amongst other things.

SpaceX largely focuses on commercial launch capabilities, with a particular focus on reusable rocket technologies that bring down the cost of putting payloads into orbit.

They’ve been hugely successful in this field, with multiple achievements, including being the first privately funded company to successfully launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft.

They were also the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and have since flown many missions to the ISS.

Whilst the majority of their work is on commercial and government contracts for putting things like satellites into orbit, some recent developments have put SpaceX firmly on the space tourism map.

First, in 2017 they announced that they had been contracted by two private individuals who want to go on a trip around the moon. This was originally due to launch in 2018, but has been postponed until at least 2024. It will be by far the most ambitious space tourism endeavor to date by any company, and you can read more about the project here .

SpaceX are also starting to sell tickets on their Crew Dragon capsule, which is the launch system NASA is using to shuttle astronauts to the ISS. These are not generally available, but a 3-day mission consisting entirely of tourists took place in 2021, with further missions expected. These are still priced in the tens of millions of dollars though, so don’t bank on these becoming affordable for a while to come.

Next, SpaceX is actively working on technology to colonise Mars, with a lofty goal of setting up a permanent colony on the red planet, home to over a million people, within the next 100 years.

Whilst the current estimate of cost for such a ride is in the region of $10 billion USD per person, SpaceX is aiming to bring that down to $100,000 through the development of their Interplanetary Transport System . This won’t happen in the near-term, but by the end of the century tourism to Mars might be a real possibility, with lunar and earth-orbital flights the norm by then.

4. Other Contenders

So those are the main players who, in my opinion, have the most realistic chances of taking you to space in the coming decade. But they aren’t the only players in the space tourism arena! Here are a few others to be aware of who might give you a chance of getting off Planet Earth.

Bigelow Aerospace: Bigelow Aerospace are actually a pretty major name when it comes to space technology, and if you ever happen to find yourself in a hotel on the moon or floating around the Earth, it’s likely going to be inside one of their inflatable habitats.

This isn’t theoretical either, they’ve got an inflatable capsule attached to the International Space Station already undergoing feasibility testing. Owner Robert Bigelow made his fortune in hotels, and he sees no reason why we can’t have them in space too.

Space Perspective: Space Perspective are taking a slightly different approach to everyone else, in that their route to space is to fly passengers 100,000ft above the ground in capsule carried aloft by a gigantic hydrogen filled balloon.

Ok, so 100,000ft isn’t exactly space, but it is high enough to see the curvature of the earth. It’s likely to be a more sedate and relaxed experience as well, compared to firing yourself into space on some sort of rocket at least. And whilst experiencing zero-gee isn’t going to be on the cards, you should be able to enjoy the views from the wraparound windows whilst enjoying a tipple from the on-board bar!

Tickets for 2024 flights have already sold out, but you can book for 2025 at a cost of $125,000 per person.

Boeing: Boeing are currently under contract with NASA to build a crew transport vehicle that would be compatible with a number of rocket systems, primarily for the purpose of shuttling astronauts to the ISS. It was originally due to start those flights in late 2018. However, testing did not start until late 2019, and the current timetable for crewed flights is now 2023.

As part of their contract, this CST-100 Starliner was specified to include one seat specifically for the purposes of space tourism , allowing one passenger to just tag along for the ride as it were. For a price, naturally. That price is currently unknown, although the original goal was to have it price competitive with the Russian Space Agency, so don’t expect it to come under the tens of millions mark!

Mars One: Mars One was an organisation with a goal of establishing a permanent human colony on Mars by the year 2035. Announced in 2012, it encouraged members of the public to sign up for the one-way mission, which resulted in over 200,000 applicants. That was whittled down to 100, and then a final 24 candidates.

Unfortunately, the project was dogged by criticism, particularly around the technical and financial feasibility of the plan. Finally, Mars One entered administration in 2019.

The Best Space Sights and Activities on Earth

Ok, so based on all the above, you’re probably realising that space is still a pretty tough place to get to right now, and even over the next few years it’s still going to be pretty darn expensive for a fairly brief jaunt.

Don’t fret though. Planet Earth is a pretty cool place, and there are a lot of space-related activities you can take part in without re-mortgaging your house and strapping yourself to a rocket.

Here are a few places you can learn about space and space travel in the meantime! Let’s look at these.

1. Active Spaceports

Whilst you might not get into space right now, you can still visit a spaceport and dream of the future! I’ve picked three spaceports for you to think about visiting.

Spaceport America, USA. Set in the high New Mexican desert, Spaceport America is the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport, meaning it’s designed for commercial users. Yes, people like you and me. It’s the home base of Virgin Galactic, and is where that company will be operating from when they finally launch their space tourism flights. SpaceX also conduct some of their testing here. Unfortunately, you still can’t board a space trip here, but it’s a worthwhile place to visit, if only to get a tantalising glimpse of a possible future.

Kennedy Space Center, USA. Found in Florida, Kennedy Space Center is the main launch pad for NASA’s operations, and is where Apollo and Space shuttle launches took place. It’s a massive facility, spanning 144,000 acres. There’s a visitor centre on site, where you can learn all about NASA and it’s space operations, see an actual space shuttle and even experience a simulated space shuttle launch. Kennedy Space Center is still very much an active launch site, and you can also come here to watch rockets blast off into space – see their website for the launch schedule .

Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. One of the world’s most famous spaceports, and certainly the oldest and largest, Baikonur Cosmodrome is where the majority of Russia’s space program has operated from, including the first man into space, Yuri Gagarin. It’s still very active, and you can in theory visit, however prices are steep for a one day tour ($700+), and can only be arranged via a specialist tour operator in a complex process that needs to be booked weeks in advance.

2. Space Museums

As well as active space ports, there are a lot of museums around the world dedicated to sharing man’s activities in space. Here are a few of the best.

Space Center Houston, USA. The official visitor centre for NASA’s center for human spaceflight activities, Space Center Houston is an excellent place to come and learn all about NASA’s efforts around getting people into space. It has a number of artifacts from our explorations to date, including a lunar module replica and various actual capsules that have been into space. Tip – if you’re visiting a few sights in Houston, you can save money by investing in a CityPASS card which will get you into the Space Center as well as a number of other attractions in the city.

New Mexico Museum of Space History, USA. Found in Alamogordo in southern New Mexico, the five storey New Mexico Museum of Space History is full of information about man’s efforts to get into space, with everything from information on early rocket technology through to more modern day exhibits including a space shuttle landing simulator. It’s also home to the International Hall of Space Fame, a planetarium, and offers fantastic views across the White Sands National Monument.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum , USA . Found in Washington, D.C., this enormous museum is home to the world’s largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world, including the Apollo 11 module and clothing worn by astronauts. With over 60,000 objects on display, you won’t run out of things to look at!

The National Space Centre, UK. Both a museum and an educational resource, the National Space Center in Leicester, UK, is home to six interactive galleries and the UK’s largest planetarium. A highlight though is the 42 metre high Rocket Tower , which houses a number of upright rockets, really giving you a feel for the enormity of these machines.

The U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Found in Huntsville, Alabama, right next door to NASA Marshall. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center has loads of information on the history of space flight, including two full size Saturn V rockets! This is also where you can attend Space Camp , a hands-on multi day training program for all ages, which will take you through a range of training similar to that which real astronauts do!

3. Space Themed Sights

We may be currently fairly stuck on the planet, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still hurtling through space, a small rock in a vast galaxy. Here are a few ways to help remind ourselves that there’s more out there than our horizon.

Meteor Craters. On our journey through space we regularly bump into errant lumps of space debris – around 100 tons a day in fact. Most often these lumps are so small (dust-specks really) that they just burn up in our atmosphere, creating beautiful shooting stars. However, anything larger than a marble has a chance of making to earth, although there are a lot of factors at work.

According to NASA , it’s the lumps that are around the size of a football field and up that make the most impact, and one of these hits us every couple of thousand of years. They can cause significant damage and leave a lasting impact. Two worth mentioning that you can visit are the aptly named “ Meteor Crater ” in Arizona, USA, and the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater in Western Australia. Both of these are around a kilometre in diameter, meaning you can see the whole structure with the naked eye and really get a feel for the force required to create such a hole. Of course you can also find smaller ones all over the world.

Star Gazing. You might not be able to get to the stars, but that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate them. I always find that just lying back and staring into the vastness of space from a really dark location is a very powerful experience. You need to be somewhere far away from light pollution to get the best views of the night sky – there are dark sky preserves (and even festivals !) where you can get a great view, otherwise, head as far away from the lights as you can and just look up.

4. Giant Telescopes

How about if you can’t get into space, you try just looking at it through a really big magnifying glass and pretend you’re there? It might be as close as you can currently get to space for free, whilst also being wowed by humanities technological accomplishments. Below are four locations around the world where you can learn all about the art of looking into space. Of course, there are many more sites around the world and you can find a list of some of the major telescopes here although not all can be visited by the public.

The Very Large Array, USA. Far out in the New Mexico wilderness, the Very Large Array is one of the world’s largest and most impressive radio telescopes. Unlike an optical telescope, which look at visible light waves, a radio telescope looks at radio waves, and from that we can learn all sorts of things from how black holes are formed through to the creation of the universe itself. These radio waves require a very large telescope, which is why the VLA is actually made up of 27 dishes, which work together to capture radio waves. There’s a small visitor centre and self-guided walking trail, and there are guided tours on the first Saturday of the month. See the official website for more details.

Jodrell Bank, UK. If you’re in the UK , then a trip to Jodrell Bank is a good option for viewing impressively large radio telescopes. In fact, Jodrell Bank is home to the world’s third largest steerable radio telescope, as well as a number of other active telescopes. There’s a visitor centre where you can learn all about the telescopes, and all sorts of other space-related things.

The Very Large Telescope, Chile. Way up high in the mountains of Chile is the world’s most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory – the aptly named “ Very Large Telescope ”. Operated by the European Southern Observatory, this is the most impressive optical instrument in the world to date, consisting of four main mirrors that are over eight meters in diameter, as well as four 1.8m diameter mirrors. These work together to create a final image, and the telescope is powerful enough that it would be able to make out a cars headlights on the moon. It’s fairly remote, what with it being on a mountain top in Chile, but you can visit – check here for more information on tours.

Green Bank Observatory, USA – At time of writing, Green Bank Observatory is home to the worlds largest steerable radio telescope, the Green Bank Telescope. Constructed in 2001, it’s one of the newest US telescopes, and with a total collecting area of 2.3 acres, is certainly impressive to behold. You can take a tour of the observatory, and there are also weekly and monthly events at the site.

5. Extra-terrestrial spots

If you’re really desperate to get off planet, you might want to frequent a location which has a history of extra-terrestrial activity such as UFO sightings. Whilst E.T. is yet to make formal contact, who knows, you might get lucky and have the chance to hop on a passing spaceship!

  Roswell, USA. If you want to learn about aliens, then the town of Roswell in New Mexico has definitely got to be on your list. It became famous as the alleged site of a huge government cover-up of a supposed alien spaceship crash at a nearby ranch property, and the town has since embraced it’s position as the world’s most famous UFO hotspot. There are a number of alien themed attractions here – we’d recommend visiting the Roswell UFO museum as a good starting point.

El Enladrillado, Chile. Central Chile is well known as a UFO spotting hotzone. So much so in fact, that the country’s national tourism board established a UFO trail, a 30km long designated trail in the Andes mountains that centres around the town of San Clemente. This is definitely a good place to come to spot UFO’s, although the national tourism authority is keen to stress that a sighting isn’t guaranteed.

Nullabor Plain, Australia. When I was travelling in Australia, I had a memorable evening out in the outback on the vast Nullabor Plain with a chap who was convinced he was regularly visited by aliens. He might have been on to something of course, with this region of Australia being particularly famous for UFO sightings. And if you don’t see a UFO, fear not, the star gazing here is pretty epic too!

HR Giger Museum, Switzerland. If you prefer your aliens of the fantastical science fiction type, then a visit to the HR Giger museum in Gruyères, Switzerland, should definitely be on your list. It’s home a large collection of works by Swiss artists HR Giger, who famously created the monsters from the sci-fi classic horror movie Alien (and its sequels). Definitely one for the sci-fi fans.

Further Reading for your Space Trip

Well, that was a lot about space. Hopefully you’ve learnt a bit about your options for getting into space as a tourist, as well as some slightly more cost-effective ways to get your space fix on! Here are a few resources that you might find useful.

• Our favourite sights along the New Mexico Space Trail , USA. Plus a guide to attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta if you’re in New Mexico.
• Our guide to visiting Jasper National Park for their annual Dark Sky Festival
• A guide to attending Space Camp USA , as well as visiting the U.S Space and Rocket Center
• Official websites for Virgin Galactic , Blue Origin and SpaceX , for when you’ve saved up enough for that ticket to space
• The NASA Instagram feed , for mind blowing space images
• John Glenn’s memoir, to give you an insight into what it was like to be the first American to orbit the earth.
• Chris Hadfield’s book “ An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth ”, helping you understand how to make the impossible a reality, which seems like a good place to end this post!

Well, that was a lot to write about space travel and space tourism! We’re not quite there yet, but with the pace of developments I see no reason why, in the coming years and decades, that I won’t finally be able to realise my dream of heading up into space for real. Let me know in the comments if heading into space is a dream of yours!

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Lynn Magnuson says

17th February 2024 at 8:16 am

Traveling into space is something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a child. I remember sitting in class and I think it was the third grade and watching Alan Shepard blast off. I knew at that point that someday I wanted to do the same thing. It hasn’t happened yet, but as time goes by the chance to do so, becomes more and more a possibility. I hope someday I do get the chance.

I love your article. Very well written and very informative. Keep up the great writing. That’s another thing I share a passion for. Writing

Laurence Norah says

20th February 2024 at 1:45 am

I’m right there with you! I really hope you get the chance to get into space some day soon. It’s definitely getting closer as a possibility 🙂

Safe travels, be they earthbound or not!

roshmand says

2nd July 2023 at 6:57 pm

amazing poat. thanks

4th July 2023 at 9:39 am

thank you very much 🙂

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Six ways to buy a ticket to space in 2021

Earlier this month, SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule safely ferried NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Robert Behnken back to Earth following a multi-month trip to the International Space Station (ISS). No privately built spacecraft had ever carried humans into orbit before. But unlike SpaceShipOne, which was a single craft built specifically to win a prize, there are multiple models of the Crew Dragon, each designed to be reused.   

It’s finally looking like the exciting era of space tourism is about to erupt. A handful of so-called “new space” companies are now competing to sell space tourists trips on private spacecraft. Each one has a slightly different means of reaching space, and not all of them will get you all the way into orbit. But as long as you’re rich, you should have no problem purchasing your ticket to space.

Virgin Galactic

SpaceShipOne was retired after just three successful spaceflights, but the technology lives on in Virgin Galactic’s Spaceship Unity . Like its predecessor, Virgin Galactic’s rocketplane drops from a specially engineered aircraft before boosting itself to 50 miles (80 kilometers) in altitude. That’s high enough for Virgin Galactic’s pilots to earn their astronaut badges. However, others define space via the so-called Kármán line, the generally accepted boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space that sits 62 miles (100 kilometers) above our planet’s surface.

Virgin Galactic’s goal is to become “the world’s first commercial spaceline,” and eventually they’ll offer regular flights from Spaceport America in southern New Mexico. The company is planning to begin regular flights in early 2021, with CEO Richard Branson slated as the first non-professional pilot to travel on Spaceship Unity .

SpaceX is the only private rocket company to ever send a human into orbit. They’re also the only company now NASA-certified to send people to circle Earth. So, when will SpaceX start selling tickets to private citizens for trips to space? In the past, Elon Musk has said that the spacecraft could have a bright future carrying private passengers into orbit. And SpaceX recently announced that it has already sold seats on future Crew Dragon flights through other companies that are handling the logistics.

Ultimately though, Musk’s goal is to settle Mars. And to do that, he needs a bigger spacecraft. That’s why SpaceX’s engineers are working feverishly on its Starship, which is still under development. If the enormous spaceship works, it could literally rocket dozens of space tourists at a time between a number of destinations on Earth, or perhaps throughout the inner solar system. The company says that Starship would be able to travel between any two locations on Earth in less than one hour.

SpaceX is confident enough in their vessel that they already sold a Starship flight around the Moon to Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa. No human has traveled to the Moon in nearly 50 years, and Maezawa, a fashion designer and online clothing retailer, has said he’ll take a group of artists with him.

Blue Origin

Jeff Bezos started his rocket company, Blue Origin, back in 2000. And he’s been selling Amazon stock to pump billions of dollars into the effort ever since. Like SpaceX, they’re prioritizing reusable rockets and spacecraft that can drastically reduce the cost associated with spaceflight.

Much of Blue Origin’s effort has gone into developing a pair of rockets: New Shepard and New Glenn.

New Shepard can carry six people inside a suborbital capsule some 60 miles (100 km) into space. Blue Origin has already flown a dozen test flights, and they’re still planning several additional tests before launching passengers. However, in March, Axios reported that Blue Origin could send passengers into space in 2020, though COVID-19 has caused delays across the space industry. If the company can still get its space capsule tested in 2020, it could be on course for paid flights in 2021.

Meanwhile, Blue Origin has announced that it will soon start selling tickets. The company’s website doesn’t list the price of a Blue Origin trip, but Bezos has previously said their space tourists can expect to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to fly in its New Shepard capsule.

The company is also working hard on their New Glenn rocket, a heavy-lift, reusable launch vehicle that Blue Origin has already invested more than $2.5 billion into developing. It’s larger than SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, but smaller than the rocket planned with Starship. That size could eventually enable regular passenger trips into orbit and even beyond. The company will need that capacity, too. Blue Origin’s goal is to one day have millions of people living and working in space.

Axiom Space’s goal is to create the world’s first commercial space station. In the meantime, they’ve inked a deal to send a crew of private citizens to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule in October 2021.

Axiom’s initial crewed mission, dubbed Ax1, should send three paying astronauts to the ISS. Each ticket reportedly costs $55 million. And while it might seem like there’s a small pool of potential ticket buyers at that rate, in the U.S. alone, roughly 75,000 American households have that much money. Axiom also figures it’s just getting started selling tickets to space. In the near future, the company says it will send three crews a year to the ISS.

Back in 2014, NASA selected two companies — SpaceX and Boeing — to receive multibillion-dollar contracts to build spacecraft that could ferry astronauts to the ISS. SpaceX made good on the first crewed flight of its Commercial Crew Program contract earlier this year. Meanwhile, Boeing has yet to get its Starliner spacecraft safely to the ISS and back. Their first test flight reached orbit but failed to make the space station, and a NASA review outlined numerous necessary fixes.

Boeing will attempt another uncrewed test flight next year. And if all goes well, they could fly to the ISS by late 2021.

But once Boeing is flying to and from the ISS, the iconic aerospace company is also technically allowed to fly private passengers to the space station. They’ve been quiet on this option, but NASA has said they’d accommodate passengers at a rate of $35,000 per night.

Boeing has also hired a corporate test pilot astronaut, Christopher Ferguson. He’s been training alongside NASA’s astronauts and will be among the first to fly on Starliner. He might not count as a space tourist, but Ferguson will ultimately be part of an entirely new group of professional astronauts that work for private companies, not national space agencies.

Space Adventures

Space Adventures is an American company that offers private spaceflights to the ISS and, eventually, the moon. Since their founding in 1998, the company has sold a number of other spaceflight related experiences, like simulated zero-gravity airplane flights. And unlike their competitors, Space Adventures has sent space tourists into orbit, too. They’ve been responsible for over half a dozen paid trips to the ISS that made use of Russian spacecraft.

Most recently, they booked a launch to the space station on Russia’s veteran Soyuz spacecraft, which is set for December 2021. The mission, dubbed Soyuz MS-20, will fly with a lone cosmonaut and two Space Adventures tourists.

Space Adventures has arranged another path to get paying customers into space, too. They recently announced a deal with SpaceX that will put four space tourists in a SpaceX capsule and send them into orbit around Earth. How much will it cost? For now, both companies are keeping the cost of these tickets private. But those who do make the trip should get an excellent show. The mission will orbit at several times the height of the ISS.

Unfortunately, few of us have enough disposable income to fund a trip beyond Earth’s atmosphere. But with at least a half dozen ways for the wealthy to purchase a ticket into space next year, the hope is that the cost will continue to decline. And if that happens, you might be closer than you think to regularly having your rocket pass checked by the TSA.

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13 Things Tourists Should Know Before Traveling to Space, According to Astronauts

We asked the pros for their best tips on handling a first trip to space.

For most of human spaceflight history, those lucky enough to reach the stars were professional astronauts hired and trained by government agencies around the world. But since the early 2000s, when seven intrepid travelers paid millions to spend a few days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), space tourism has begun to take off. We're now on the cusp of a new era of space exploration, with commercial companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin launching spacecraft capable of taking paying travelers beyond the Earth's surface.

We spoke with former NASA astronauts Leroy Chiao and Scott Parazynski to get their tips for first-time spaceflight participants. During his 15 years with NASA, Chiao participated in four missions — three aboard the space shuttle and one to the ISS, in which he served as commander. Parazynski worked at NASA for 17 years, flying five shuttle missions throughout his career. Read on to discover what they think aspiring space tourists need to know.

Your only job on the flight will be to kick back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

If you're taking a suborbital flight, which is what companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin have offered, your ride will be a quick up-and-down to reach space, rather than a full orbit of the Earth. The short journey is relatively easy compared to what professional astronauts experience. For starters, you won't need to worry about flying your spacecraft. That's all up to the spaceflight provider. "You won't have any responsibility other than to enjoy the experience — and not kick anyone else in the head," says Parazynski. "Their obligations on the flight are pretty straightforward."

As such, the training programs for suborbital space tourist experiences are relatively minimal, perhaps only a few days in length at most. "The downside of not having a lot of training is that you don't have the confidence that comes from lots of training," says Parazynski. "Contrast that with the training I had on the space shuttle, where we trained for hundreds and hundreds of hours for launching in space. If something were to go awry, we would know exactly what to do and our hearts wouldn't skip a beat."

So, other than learning to place your complete trust in your spaceflight provider, Parazynski recommends talking to people who have flown before in order to ease any nervousness. Chiao agrees: "The best advice I can give on launch — and it's easy to say, harder to do — is to try to relax and enjoy the whole process," he says. "Pay attention during your training, talk to other people who've been there if you can. And actually, you might be surprised — it's quite calm!"

Make sure you’re physically and mentally fit.

"I think people should treat this as their Olympics or Super Bowl. This is a really big life experience, and though you don't need to be an Olympic athlete or a Super Bowl champion to fly in space, it helps to be fit," says Parazynski. After all, your body will be experiencing quite a range of new sensations during your spaceflight."

But it's not just about physical fitness — mental fitness is key, too. "I think through fitness comes mental acuity as well," says Parazynski. "The more you can be engaged in the experience, the more you'll remember of it — it'll be more impactful to you."

The G-forces experienced on launch and reentry are not as intense as you might expect.

If you've ever watched a livestream of an astronaut launch, caught any Hollywood flick about space travel, or ridden Mission: Space at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park, you know that during launch, astronauts get crushed back into their seats. (And, actually, during reentry, too!) They're experiencing strong G-forces, or a sensation of weight felt during acceleration. It's the same feeling you get when you speed up quickly in a car or zoom through a loop or a sharp curve on a roller coaster, but during a rocket launch, those forces are stronger and more sustained. While the experience might seem a little terrifying, the pros say it's quite manageable.

"The G-forces aren't nearly as bad as they show in the movies," says Chiao. "If you're good enough to be given medical approval to go on a trip like this, you're not going to have any problems handling the G-forces." He also notes that you'll likely go through centrifugal runs during your training to prep for the sensation — you'll be strapped into a spinning machine that lets you experience strong G-forces, just like that spinning amusement park ride where you're pressed against the wall and the floor drops.

But to make launch and reentry as comfortable on your body as possible, you'll want to physically relax your muscles so you don't fight against the G-forces. "If you relax and let your body sink into the launch couch, you're going to tolerate it much better," says Chiao. "If you're rigid, that's where you might hurt yourself. And make sure your limbs and arms are inside of the couch."

To prep for weightlessness, you should book a zero-gravity flight.

While it takes quite a bit of effort (and time and money) to get into space to experience weightlessness, you can actually experience the sensation right here on Earth — or rather, just slightly above it. All you need to do is book a zero-gravity flight , where a plane flies in a series of parabolas (or arch-like shapes) during which passengers experience simulated weightlessness through free fall.

It's physically the same as skydiving or even riding a roller coaster, but in those two instances, your senses tell you you're actually falling. "When you're in a zero-G airplane, the airplane is falling at the same rate you are, so you're floating inside the airplane," says Chiao. "That's what it's like in a spacecraft when you get up into space and the engines cut off."

Through commercial companies like the Zero Gravity Corporation , anyone who can spare the cost of a ticket can experience weightlessness — and anyone who's planning on making a trip to space should definitely give it a go. "If they have the means, they should get on a zero-G flight before they go on a suborbital flight," says Parazynski. "It would take some of the mystery out of 'what am I going to feel like?' and 'how do I move?'"

Learning how to scuba dive is good weightlessness training, too.

While being underwater isn't exactly like floating in space, it's a pretty good way to practice moving around in a weightless environment. In fact, NASA even has a life-sized replica of the ISS set inside a giant pool, so astronauts can train for spacewalks underwater.

"Moving in weightlessness comes to you very quickly when you spend some time underwater," says Parazynski. "Get neutrally buoyant underwater and very gently try and move yourself along the ocean floor or bottom of your pool. It doesn't take a lot of force, but it does take a lot of thought."

Come up with a game plan for your few minutes in space.

On suborbital flights, you're only going to have a few minutes in weightlessness, so you should plan exactly how you want to spend your time up there. Figure out if you'd like to bring a memento like a family photo or college pennant for a fun picture. (U.S. Naval Academy graduates and former astronauts Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford famously put a "Beat Army" sign in the window of their Gemini VI spacecraft, so there's a long tradition of this.) Decide in advance if you want to attempt what spaceflight veterans call "stupid astronaut tricks," like flips or spins. But most importantly, budget time to look out the window.

"The most important thing I would tell future astronauts is to savor the view out the window," says Parazynski. "It's, for lack of a better term, a God's-eye view, and so few people have ever had a chance to see it. It's really a beautiful thing to be hovering in space and looking down at your planet."

Don’t worry about taking your own photos.

"As far as taking photographs, I don't know that I would recommend it," says Chiao. "You're not going to be very good at it, first of all, because it takes a little bit of practice to get used to zero-G. Don't waste that time taking photos. Get your memories, look out those windows, and enjoy the whole experience of being weightless." Plus, given the price tag of these spaceflights, we're pretty sure that your operator will provide you with photos and videos of your journey anyway.

When you get into zero gravity, you might feel a little dizzy.

The body functions a bit differently when you remove gravity from the equation for a sustained period of time, and side effects may include dizziness and nausea. "You're going to feel full-headed because there's no longer gravity pulling fluid down into your legs," says Chiao. "And so all that fluid comes up into your torso, and you can feel it right away. It feels kind of like you're standing on your head."

But the good news is, on suborbital flights you might be able to avoid the worst of it. "The adrenaline and excitement are going to make you do OK at first, and by the time you might start feeling bad, it's time to strap back in and come back down," says Chiao.

If you’re spending a few days in space, be prepared for some bumps and bruises.

On a suborbital flight, you won't have a ton of time in space, so you won't really have to worry about acclimating to zero gravity. However, some private spaceflight companies are looking to send their clients up into orbit for longer stays and there are even talks of a space hotel within Voyager Station . If you're going to spend a few days or even a few weeks up in space, you're probably going to bump your head more than once, no matter how much you've trained for the experience.

"It's really funny watching rookie astronauts the first day or two up on a mission," says Parazynski. "We called them the bull in a china shop. They push off with full force and they crack their skull or bang their knee."

You’re also going to make a mess.

Doing routine tasks like brushing your teeth (you can't just spit your toothpaste into a sink), clipping your fingernails (you don't want them floating off into your space station), and going to the bathroom (have you ever thought about how to use a toilet without gravity?) are all very different experiences in weightlessness. Inevitably, you might have a few mishaps early on in your trip.

"Just sitting down for a meal, you put your fork down, and it's gone in 30 seconds," says Parazynski. "You may find it two days later in the cabin air cleaner because that's where the air currents have taken it." Luckily, a lost fork is an easy mess to clean up — and the situation can be prevented by tethering it down. Other messes are a different story.

"As far as using the restroom, that's what you need to pay attention to during your training. The toilet is not particularly simple and you have to be careful," says Chiao. (In case you were wondering, space toilets use airflow to guide things where they're supposed to go.) "But be prepared to make some messes," says Chiao. "And everybody has to clean up their own mess."

If you’re going to do a spacewalk, the stakes are much higher for you and your crew.

If you want to zip around space with a jetpack like George Clooney in "Gravity," sorry, but chances are that's not going to happen any time soon. Most private astronauts will be safely tucked inside their craft for the duration of their flight.

Unlike suborbital flights, future orbital flights with a spacewalk will require extensive training, given that spacewalks are inherently more dangerous than simply riding in a vessel. "If you're careless with your tethers and you float off into the void, there's not a whole lot anyone can come do for you," says Parazynski. It's possible that a crewmate may be able to head out to rescue you, but then you're endangering their life as well. "It's paramount for a spacewalker to think not just about their own health and well-being and their experience, but also that of their crewmates," he says.

If you’re in a capsule, be prepared for a bumpy landing.

While the only way up to space is by rocket, there are two ways to come back down: via a winged vehicle, like the space shuttle or Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, or a capsule, like Apollo, Soyuz, and Blue Origin's New Shepard. The experiences are quite different, as winged vehicles land like an airplane on a runway, whereas capsules descend beneath parachutes onto land or water. While both experience a range of G-forces during reentry, capsules have a bit of a rougher ride, particularly at the very end.

"When the parachute comes out, you can expect to get jostled around a fair amount, so that can be disorienting," says Chiao. "Then, whether you're hitting the water or the ground, you're gonna get a good bump. There are shock-absorbing mechanisms, of course, that make it not too big a deal. But on Soyuz, you smack the ground pretty darn hard. It was kind of surprising!"

It’ll be worth every penny.

Sure, it's going to cost a small fortune to go into space as a tourist — for now, that's somewhere in the ballpark of several hundred thousand dollars for a suborbital flight and millions of dollars for longer-duration orbital stays. But ask any astronaut, and they're sure to tell you it'll be worth the investment.

"What I would tell prospective astronauts is that it's going to change their lives forever," says Parazynski. "It's a perspective that can't be captured in emotion on film. Even in 3D IMAX, there's no way to capture the way it's going to make you feel, the connectedness you feel to planet Earth, and the awe you have when you look out into the universe."

Welcome to ViewSpace

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Explore the Universe with Interactives and Videos

About ViewSpace

What is viewspace.

ViewSpace is a free, web-based collection of digital interactives and videos highlighting the latest developments in astronomy and Earth science.

ViewSpace gives you the opportunity to explore our planet, solar system, galaxy, and universe. Provided free with the support of NASA, ViewSpace is developed by a team of scientists, educators, and communication specialists who collaborate to ensure that content is accurate, up-to-date, engaging, relevant, and accessible to a wide audience.

Interactives

ViewSpace interactives allow you to explore objects and materials from different perspectives, discovering how we can combine information to better understand the universe.

Different forms of light: Explore visible and invisible wavelengths of light that help us understand features like the dusty brim of the Sombrero Galaxy roughly 30 million light-years away.

Hidden objects: Unveil invisible light to reveal hidden objects like the stars forming inside Mystic Mountain, a pillar of gas and dust 7,500 light-years from Earth.

ViewSpace videos tell the stories of the planets, stars, galaxies, and universe, giving viewers the opportunity to experience space and Earth as seen with satellites and telescopes.

Astronomy: Explore the sky with stories told through spectacular imagery from space telescopes.

Earth science: Gain new perspectives on our home planet based on data gathered by Earth-orbiting satellites.

ViewSpace is produced by the Office of Public Outreach at the Space Telescope Science Institute , in partnership with the NASA's Universe of Learning project and NASA's Earth Observing System, Hubble Space Telescope Project, and James Webb Space Telescope Project.

ViewSpace has been exhibited in museums, planetariums, and science centers across the country since 2000.

What Will You Explore?

The Latest Discoveries in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Recent Natural Events and Satellite Views of Earth

In-depth Stories of How Science and the Universe Work

Stunning Imagery and Accessible Explanations

Sample Images from ViewSpace

What objects and materials make up the universe, and how do we study the invisible as well as the visible?

Data from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-Ray Observatory are used to create a map of dark matter (blue) in galaxy cluster MACS J0717.5+3745.

What are galaxies; how do they vary; and how do they form, interact, and change over time?

The Penguin and the Egg (Arp 142) is a pair of galaxies that are being distorted by their mutual gravitational attraction.

How do the Sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids interact as a system?

Saturn’s moon Titan casts a shadow as it passes between the planet and the Sun.

How do telescopes help us better understand the objects and materials that light up the sky?

With telescopes, we can see details of the Milky Way, including glowing clouds of dust and gas like the Lobster Nebula.

How fast is the universe expanding and what does this tell us about its past and future?

Over time, space expands, stretching the wavelenghts of light and causing the distant galaxies seen in the Ultra Deep Field image from the Hubble Space Telescope to look redder than the closer galaxies.

How do we detect and study planets orbiting other stars?

Changes in the brightness of starlight, measured by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope, indicates the presence of a planet orbiting the star.

What happens to stars at the end of their lives, and how do stellar explosions affect the space around them?

Visible, infrared, and X-ray light from supernova remnant Cassiopeia A reveal remains of an exploded star.

How can we use interactions between light and matter to probe the deep universe?

The enormous mass of galaxy cluster Abell 370 bends the space around it, magnifying and distorting the light from more distant galaxies into arc-like streaks.

How are astronomers combining data from space and ground-based telescopes, particle detectors, and gravitational wave detectors to understand cosmic objects, processes, and events?

An artist’s illustration depicts the detection of neutrino particles and gamma rays emitted by a supermassive black hole at the center of a distant galaxy.

How and where do stars form, and how do they shape their surroundings?

Pillars of gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula are sculpted and illuminated by stellar winds and high-energy radiation of bright stars.

How can we use satellites to map, study, and monitor Earth’s land surface, oceans, and atmosphere?

An image captured by the Landsat 8 satellite in May 2018 shows active lava flows from Kilauea volcano in Hawaii.

What evidence supports our theories of how the universe formed and how it has evolved over time?

A map of the sky from the Planck Space Telescope highlights variations in the cosmic microwave background radiation—energy left over from the big bang some 13.8 billion years ago.

What tools and methods do scientists use to study Earth and space?

NASA’s Soil Moisture Active Passive satellite (SMAP) helps scientists monitor droughts, predict floods, and improve farm productivity.

Is Earth unique? Are we alone?

Observations from space telescopes have revealed thousands of exoplanets of different of sizes, compositions, temperatures, and atmospheres, including seven rocky Earth-sized planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system, 40 light-years from Earth (artist’s illustration).

Where Is ViewSpace?

ViewSpace videos are on exhibit at museums, science centers, and planetariums across the country.

ViewSpace interactives are available online.

Use the map to find a ViewSpace video location near you.

Location Spotlight

Worcester, Massachusetts

Westcave Preserve

Round Mountain, Texas

Lowell Observatory

Flagstaff, Arizona

Maryland Science Center

Baltimore, Maryland

Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University

Glassboro, New Jersey

Clark Planetarium

Salt Lake City, Utah

Becoming a ViewSpace Venue

ViewSpace provides informal learning sites with engaging, accurate, relevant, and up-to-date astronomy and Earth science content. Access to ViewSpace is free, requiring only registration, a computer or Smart TV, and persistent internet access. ViewSpace content is self-updating and videos can be set to play automatically, requiring minimal staff effort to maintain.

Join hundreds of others in featuring ViewSpace as part of your exhibits.

Who Produces and Supports ViewSpace?

ViewSpace is produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, and is provided free of charge through financial support and subject matter expertise from the NASA’s Universe of Learning project, NASA’s Earth Observing System Project Science Office, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope Project, and NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope Project.

Funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, NASA’s Universe of Learning is an integrated astrophysics STEM learning and literacy project developed through a partnership between the Space Telescope Science Institute, Caltech/IPAC, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and Sonoma State University.

NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) is a coordinated series of satellites designed to observe Earth’s land, atmosphere, oceans, and biosphere. As part of the Earth Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, the EOS Project Science Office (EOSPSO) is committed to sharing information with both researchers and the general public.

The Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope are two of NASA’s flagship missions designed to explore and advance our understanding of the universe. The missions’ communications programs are dedicated to sharing scientific advances and making the world’s astronomical information accessible to all.

Infinity & Beyond: 10 Places To Visit If You're Obsessed With Space

Many nerds are obsessed with space. While you can't travel there (except at the International Space Station), these are the places to visit on Earth.

Space has managed to capture the imaginations of countless people, young and old. And it's no wonder; with its infinite library of unexplored cosmos, space is truly the final frontier. And with its prominence in pop culture and the endless amount of scientific research going into space, the popularity of space is rivaled only by the size of space itself.

If you are looking to satisfy your inner space-lover, there are plenty of great places to visit, even for us Earthlings. Whether you are the next Mars colonist, an aspiring rocket scientist or you just love to look up at the stars, there are plenty of vacation spots that are great for Space-lovers.

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10 10. Palomar Observatory, California

The Palomar Observatory, located outside of San Diego, has three active telescopes that visitors can visit on guided or self-guided tours. The observatory has been operational for nearly 100 years and its telescopes have aided in several astronomic discoveries since their construction.

Most famous is its enormous 200 inch Hale telescope, which was the largest telescope in the world until 1993. This telescope has lead to advancements in "Solar System studies, the search for extrasolar planets, stellar population and evolution analysis, and the characterization of remote galaxies" according to its website .

9 9. Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, Moscow, Russia

The Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union was a huge piece of space travel history, and the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow is a great place to learn about space research from the other side's point of view. This museum showcases Soviet science's evolution over time, including many of its old spacecraft. There is also a theater for informative movies on cosmonaut history.

For the vast majority of us that don't speak Russian, going on a tour with an English-speaking guide is available and is highly recommended.

8 8.Very Large Array, New Mexico

The Very Large Array , located about 50 miles from Socorro, New Mexico, is one of the world's largest astronomical radio observatories. Very Large Array has 27 radio antennas, each 82 feet wide, that produce images of the sky through radio waves.

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The VLA offers guided tours on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 11 AM to 3 PM where visitors have the chance to see "behind-the-scenes" of what goes on among VLA staff members and how the antennas work. This is a great trip for anyone interested in the technical side of space research.

7 7. Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Here's one for the adventurous types. Mauna Kea is a legendary observatory located in the mountains of Hawaii's largest island. The Visitor's Information Station is located 9,200 ft above sea level and is an amazing place to view the stars thanks to its altitude and lack of pollution. For those who want to go the extra mile, literally, there are paths to the summit at 13,796 ft above sea level. Along with an amazing view, Mauna Kea offers telescopes to look through and tours of its star-gazing facilities.

Because the observatory is in such a remote location, this experience is not for anyone with serious health issues. However, it is a unique way to experience the stars from a beautiful, natural site far away from city lights.

6 6. Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world's first and largest space launch facility. Located in Kazakhstan, this is where Sputnik 1, the world's first artificial satellite, and Vostok 1, the first human spaceflight, were launched by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Each year, there are several space launches of both manned and unmanned spacecraft. Space enthusiasts can take tours of Baikonur's facilities and even watch one of its space launches. However, due to its remote location in Kazakhstan, getting here is not always the most convenient.

5 5. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

For those who want to feel like they're traveling through space, Walt Disney World has some great simulations. In Epcot, Mission: Space simulates a trip to Mars. Passengers are "briefed" by an astronaut team on how to control the space ship, and a G-Force of 2.5 if exerted on riders during the "lift-off" to make the experience highly immersive.

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Disney also features Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios, which is a space travel simulation themed around Star Wars. The ride takes riders through different planets and locations from the Star Wars universe, and with 54 randomized "tours" every ride feels different.

Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom, while not really a space simulation, is a fun roller coaster with a futuristic space theme. All of these are must-sees for anyone who's ever wondered what it would feel like to fly through the cosmos.

4 4. Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C.

The world-famous Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. features many important artifacts of space exploration history and should be at the top of any space-lover's travel list. Many space shuttles are showcased, including the Apollo Lunar Module, the Space Shuttle Discovery, and others.

In addition to space memorabilia, the museum also features the historic Albert Einstein Planetarium, a 360 degrees theater that immerses the audience into the starry sky on the screen. Also in the museum is the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater where viewers can enjoy movies about space and air travel on a really, really big screen.

3 3. NASA Space Center, Houston

Space Center Houston boasts of having "more than 400 things to see and do" according to its website  and has the largest collections of spacesuits and Moon rocks on public display in the world. Houston's Starship Gallery hosts several spacecraft, such as the Apollo 17, the Mercury 9 and the Gemini V. The astronaut gallery showcases spacesuits that have been worn since the beginning of space travel. Mission Mars is an interactive exhibit that teaches visitors what it takes to travel to Mars. There's also replicas of spaceships to see, like the shuttle Independence.

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There are all kinds of seasonal events at the space center as well, like luncheons with astronauts and behind-the-scenes tours of different space artifacts. Space Center Houston is a must-visit for anyone with even the slightest interest in the history of space travel.

2 2. Kennedy Space Center, Florida

The historic Kennedy Space Center , located near Cape Canaveral in Florida, gives visitors a chance to get up close and personal with space equipment. The KSC features a variety of exhibits, from the Rocket Garden's many models of space rockets, the Astronaut Hall of Fame, former astronauts presenting as speakers, a realistic space flight simulation, and one of the most popular attractions, a showcase of the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

The Kennedy Space Center occasionally hosts real rocket launches that visitors can buy tickets to watch. For hardcore space nerds, watching a real rocket fly into space is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

1 1. International Space Station

Where is the ultimate travel destination for a lover of space? Well, space of course! Yes, there are actually people who have gone to the International Space Station as tourists, but it's not cheap. There have so far been seven tourists to visit the ISS, each paying somewhere between $20-$40 million.

There are active efforts to make space travel more accessible. Houston-based company Axiom Space is working on building the world's first commercial space station , with trips clocking in at around $55 million each. Start saving those pennies!

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More From Forbes

How much is a ticket to space $100,000 if you can wait a decade—but here’s how to pay nothing.

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The interior of the Blue Origin capsule, which can hold six people.

How much does a ticket to space cost? That depends on who you book with, how you want to get there and whether you get lucky or not.

On the day that billionaire Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos goes to space it’s worth knowing that a ticket to reach space can cost as much as $55 million for a “proper” orbital flight and a visit to the International Space Station (ISS)—and as little as nothing at all. 

Can you really get to space for free? Sure you can, by entering a competition to win Virgin Galactic tickets via Omaze.com . As space tourism flights on Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic get scheduled, likely in 2022, look out for more competitions. 

In an article on the MoneyTransfers.com website an expert predicts that sub-orbital space travel—like that of Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic—could cost around $100,000 within a decade.

Space tourism is an industry previously predicted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch as one that could grow to $2.7 trillion in 30 years.

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The distinction between sub-orbital and orbital space tourism is key. While sub-orbital “up and down” missions in supersonic planes and rockets—such as Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin—orbital missions are much longer and much pricer. 

The private 10-day Axiom Mission 1 including an 8-day stay at the ISS, planned for January 2022, is costing each of the four private astronauts a whopping $55 million for a seat in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.

That makes the $28 million paid to Blue Origin during an auction for a seat on the first 11-minute sub-orbital flight—a seat that will now be used by an 18-year old from The Netherlands —appear vastly over the odds. 

Although “space for all” is a phrase often heard from space tourism industry, demand for the first batch of flights is likely to be huge, leading to big asking prices. It’s rumoured that Blue Origin could ask $500,000 , though prices aren’t yet known.

The same goes for Virgin Galactic, which plans to begin private flights to space during 2022. It charged $250,000 for tickets until it paused ticket sales a few years ago. While it has said it wants to charge $40,000, that’s in the long term. 

The most affordable way to pay to get to space would be appear to be via a company called Space Perspective, which plans to launch a pressurized capsule propelled by a high-performance space balloon.

In a six-hour flight costing $125,000 per person, passengers in Spaceship Neptune and Neptune One will lift-off from Space Coast Spaceport in Florida, though not until 2024. 

Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.

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First Space Tourist: How a U.S. Millionaire Bought a Ticket to Orbit

This story is part of a SPACE.com series to mark a decade of space tourism. Coming tomorrow: The future of space tourism and its impact on space science.

If the era of commercial spaceflight has a birthday, it's April 28, 2001.

On that date, American businessman Dennis Tito became history's first space tourist , paying his own way to the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Forty years to the month after Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space, Tito showed that there was money to be made in human spaceflight -- potentially lots of money, as he plunked down a reported $20 million for his flight.

Now, 10 years later, the industry looks set to heat up, with multiple firms jockeying for position in a commercial space race that is arguably already under way.

"The private spaceflight industry did start with Dennis' flight," said Tom Shelley, president of Space Adventures, the Virginia-based company that brokered Tito's eight-day mission with Russia's Federal Space Agency and has sent a total of seven people on eight orbital flights since 2001. "That was the first real milestone and demonstrated to a lot of people that there was a market for private citizens to go to space." [ Photos: The World's First Space Tourists ]

A lifelong dream, nearly deferred

Tito made his millions in the world of finance. But he was once an engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and has been a space enthusiast since he was a teenager.

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"My dream was to fly in space before I die," Tito said. "And I basically came up with that lifelong goal around the time of Yuri Gagarin's flight ."

In early 2000, Tito started working toward making his dream a reality. He would turn 60 later that year, and he felt like his chances of getting into space were rapidly running out. The oldest rookie spaceflyer at the time, after all, was NASA astronaut Deke Slayton, who first made it to orbit in 1975 at the age of 51.

"So I was gettting over the hill, I thought," Tito told SPACE.com. "So I said, 'It's now or never.'"

In June 2000, Tito signed a deal with a company called MirCorp to ride a Soyuz to Russia's Mir space station. However, those plans fell through in December of that year, when Russia announced that it planned to deorbit the aging station. (Mir burned up in Earth's atmosphere in March 2001.)

Undeterred, Tito soon made other arrangements. He signed on with Space Adventures, which brokered an April 2001 flight to the International Space Station , again on a Soyuz. The station was a relatively new project at the time, having just begun assembly operations in November 1998.

NASA makes it tough

The Russians agreed to take Tito's money and offer him a seat on a Soyuz. But the other station partners -- notably NASA and space agencies from Canada, Europe and Japan -- were not so thrilled. They informed Russia that they "recommended against" Tito's mission.

NASA officials said at the time that they didn't object in principle to the presence of a paying customer aboard the orbiting lab. They just didn't think Tito's training would be sufficient by April, which they said was a time of complex and crucial station operations.

"During this period, the presence of a nonprofessional crewmember who is untrained on all critical station systems, is unable to respond and assist in any contingency situation which may arise, and who would require constant supervision, would add a significant burden to the Expedition and detract from the overall safety of the International Space Station," reads a NASA press release from March 19, 2001.

Tito thinks his age may also have been a factor.

"If you're older, heart attacks happen, strokes happen, whatever," he said. "And what are they going to do, transport a corpse back to Earth? That would be very embarrassing for them, and traumatic."

So NASA did what it could to keep Tito from getting off the ground in April, according to Tito and Space Adventures officials.

"They put up everything that they could throw in the way to make it not happen," Shelley told SPACE.com.

Eight months at Star City

Meanwhile, Tito carried on. He continued his training at the Star City complex outside Moscow, where cosmonauts have prepped for flight since Gagarin's day. Tito spent the better part of a year there, toiling in a sort of limbo.

"It wasn't easy," Tito said. "I had to hang out in Russia for eight months without really knowing whether I was going to fly or not."

Eventually, Tito's perseverance paid off. Over NASA's objections, he launched on April 28, 2001, becoming the 415th person ever to reach space. But Tito said all the drama and difficulties are water under the bridge, especially since the agency has been so supportive of the six other space tourists who have since flown to the orbiting lab -- and so supportive of private spaceflight in general over the past decade. [ 10 Years of Space Tourism ]

"Their support is stronger than I would've ever dreamed or hoped for," Tito said. "So my bottom line is, I have nothing but good things to say about NASA."

Fulfilling the dream

Tito made it to orbit, spent about six days aboard the space station, and then landed in Kazakhstan on May 6, 2001.

His mission has had a lasting impact, inspiring a range of private spaceflight investment and activity, according to Shelley.

"I think [Virgin Galactic's] Richard Branson and [Blue Origin's] Jeff Bezos, and even Elon [Musk of SpaceX] -- they really wouldn't be in this industry if it wasn't for what Dennis originally did," Shelley said. Tito's flight, he added, demonstrated "that this was a feasible activity for private citizens to step up and pay the money."

For his part, Tito said he is happy to have been a part of the birth of this industry, though he shifts praise onto spaceflight entrepreneurs and the orbital tourists who came after him. And for him, of course, the trip will always resonate on a much more personal level.

"To me, it was a 40-year dream," Tito said. "The thing I have taken away from it is a sense of completeness for my life -- that everything else I would do in my life would be a bonus."

You can follow SPACE.com senior writer Mike Wall on Twitter: @michaeldwall . Follow SPACE.com for the latest in space science and exploration news on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with  Space.com  and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.

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The 8 Best Space Museums in the US

With the country’s long history involving flight and space travel, it’s no wonder the US is home to some of the world’s best space museums.

And now with the SpaceX program, rovers Curiosity and Perseverance sending in new information about Mars every day, and the James Webb Space Telescope taking the clearest images possible of our universe, interest in outer space is alive and well.

Here is a list of the best space museums in the US for the space nerds out there, young and old.

The Best Space Museums in the US

Note that most, if not all, space museums in this list are aviation museums, too. Sky first before space, right?

This article focuses more on the “space” part of “aerospace,” including the exhibits, attractions, and things to do.

1. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Merritt Island, Florida)

Known as: The place to watch rockets being launched

Let’s start with probably the coolest space museum in the country. That’s because this is the place to be for watching rocket launches, and has been for the past 50 years.

In fact, it’s one of our picks for the best museums in Florida .

The visitor complex is divided into Mission Zones, each focusing on a key period or area of space travel.

The most popular Mission Zone is the Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other , featuring Space Shuttle Atlantis , one of only three space-flown shuttles displayed in the country.

Kids will have fun playing with astronaut training simulators, exploring life on board the International Space Station, experiencing a space shuttle’s ascent into orbit, and many more.

Other popular Mission Zones include Race to the Moon featuring the massive Saturn V , the Heroes and Legends exhibit featuring the US Astronaut Hall of Fame , and the Rocket Garden , an outdoor display of historic rockets, including those from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.

Unique experiences here (for additional fees) include the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) , where you can train like you’re one of the next astronauts off to Mars; the Chat With An Astronaut experience, where the Astronaut of the Day sits down with a small group and answers questions while enjoying some snacks; and the Behind the Gates Tours , where you can access some restricted areas, including historic launch sites and operational spaceflight facilities.

• Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 | 855-433-4210
• Tickets: One-day passes start at $75 per head for adults 12 years old and above; discounts available for children 3 to 11, seniors, and military; children 2 and below get in for free; astronaut chats, special interest tours, and training experiences not included
• Things to do nearby: The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a 140,000-acre nature sanctuary established to protect wild birds. Manatee Sanctuary Park on the Banana River is another lovely place to hang out, with a chance of seeing manatees.

2. Space Center Houston (Houston, Texas)

Known as: The home of Mission Control and the astronaut corps

When Apollo 13’s Jim Lovell said “Houston, we’ve had a problem,” he was talking to Mission Control in the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center .

Space Center Houston is the official visitor center for the Johnson Space Center.

The future of spaceflight is highlighted in the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster exhibit as a shining example of reusable space technology.

Another aspect of the future of spaceflight is being more inclusive. Check out the Artemis exhibit, highlighting NASA’s latest program to bring humans back to the moon, placing the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.

A classic experience is to go on the NASA Tram Tour and visit the historic Apollo Mission Control Center , Rocket Park , and the Astronaut Training Facility .

Other popular exhibits include Mission: Mars (get into a simulated Orion capsule and touch a real Mars rock), Astronaut Gallery (the world’s largest collection of spacesuits), and Starship Gallery ( Apollo 17 Command Module, lunar samples vault with the lunar touchstone, Skylab training module).

Kids would love to chat with an astronaut, so time your visit to catch Astronaut Mission Memories at the Space Center Theater (included with general admission), or have Breakfast/Lunch with an Astronaut , a more intimate experience plus a catered meal (charged separately).

Don’t miss the Independence Plaza exhibit, enter the world’s only shuttle replica Independence mounted on top of the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft.

• Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 | 281-244-2100
• Tickets: $29.95 per head for adults 12 and above; discounts for children 4 to 11 and seniors; children 3 and below get in free; tickets for some tours and experiences not included
• Things to do nearby: Kemah Boardwalk is a popular entertainment and dining area where you can unwind after your space museum visit. If outdoor activities are your thing, Clear Lake is a nearby fishing and watersports destination.

3. U.S. Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville, Alabama)

Known as: The biggest space museum in the US and the home of Space Camp

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center is the official visitor center for the Marshall Space Flight Center, which is an icon in Huntsville.

In fact, Huntsville, Alabama is known as “Rocket City” because this is where the rockets for the Apollo program were developed. Today, this is where the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for Artemis is currently being constructed.

Huntsville is also where students of all ages converge for Space Camp , a five-day program that includes flight and mission simulators, lectures, experiments, and many other educational activities to help people learn about space exploration.

They have one of the largest rocket collections in the world, showcased in Rocket Park , Shuttle Park , and the Apollo Courtyard . The various missiles and rockets tell a chronological story of America’s space program.

Perhaps the most famous exhibit in this museum is the Davidson Center for Space Exploration featuring an authentic Saturn V rocket, a heavy-lift launch vehicle used for nine crewed flights to the moon and to launch the first American space station Skylab.

If you’re curious about how it actually feels up there, try out one of their simulators, such as the Moon Shot (4Gs of force on launch plus a few seconds of weightlessness), the HyperShip (5 minutes of a multi-sensory experience; charged separately), or the Kids Cosmos Energy Depletion Zone (tamer version, good for kids).

When the kids (or you) need a little downtime, catch a show at the INTUITIVE Planetarium (charged separately).

• Address: 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805 | 800-637-7223
• Tickets: $30 per head for adults 13 and above; discounts for children 5 to 12; children 4 and below get in free; tickets for shows and experiences not included
• Things to do nearby: The beautiful Huntsville Botanical Garden is a 5-minute drive east, featuring Purdy Butterfly House , Damson Aquatic Garden , Garden Railway , and many other gorgeous gardens.

4. Virginia Air & Space Center (Hampton, Virginia)

Known as: The birthplace of the American human space program

The Virginia Air & Space Center is the official visitor center for NASA Langley Research Center.

Movie buffs likely know the Langley Research Center as the setting for the movie Hidden Figures , which is about the then-unknown role of female mathematicians behind the first American orbital spaceflight.

The VASC, meanwhile, has several interactive exhibits that space geeks will, well, geek out on.

The Spacecraft Gallery showcases historic spacecraft, including the original Apollo 12 command module (second to land on the moon), the Apollo Lunar Excursion Module Simulator (the original trainer used in the 1960s to train the Apollo astronauts), and a replica of the Viking Lander (the first spacecraft to land successfully on Mars and took the first color photograph of Mars).

In the Space Explorer Gallery , guests can simulate landing on the moon, exploring the surface of Mars, and building their own solar system.

Don’t miss the moon rock from the Apollo 17 mission as well as a real Mars meteorite.

• Address: 600 Settlers Landing Rd. Hampton, VA 23669 | 757-727-0900
• Tickets: $22.50 per head for adults 19 and above; discounts for children 3 to 18, seniors, and active duty military; children 2 and below get in free; tickets for shows and experiences not included
• Things to do nearby: For 400 years, Hampton has been known as the city “First from the Sea, First to the Stars,” and you can learn more about this legacy in the Hampton History Museum a block away. You can enjoy the “sea” part by visiting Fort Monroe National Monument and Outlook Beach , both 10 minutes away.

5a. Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC)

Note: This museum is temporarily closed for renovations until Fall 2022.

Known as: The world’s most visited space museum

Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum has been consistently hailed as one of the best space museums in the US and worldwide.

With more than 60,000 objects on display, it’s no wonder this is also among the most visited museums in the country.

Perhaps the most popular exhibition here is the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall , displaying the original Apollo 11 command module, a model of the Viking Mars Lander, and countless other spacecraft and aircraft in history.

Once renovations are done, visitors can look forward to visiting the Destination Moon exhibit, with artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, lunar landers and rovers, and the actual spacesuits worn by Alan Shepard and Neil Armstrong.

Visitors can also look forward to the return of flight and space simulators, the reopening of the IMAX theater, and the revamping of the Planetarium to be a fully digital experience.

• Address: 600 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560 | 202-633-2214
• Tickets: Free
• Things to do nearby: The National Air and Space Museum is right on the National Mall , where there are countless museums, memorials, and gardens to explore. Read more in our article listing the best free things to do in Washington, DC .

5b. Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Chantilly, Virginia)

Known as: The home of Space Shuttle Discovery

If you’re wondering why this space museum shares a place with the National Air and Space Museum , it’s because the Udvar-Hazy Center is its annex.

It consists of two massive hangars, containing spacecraft and aircraft that are too large to display in the NASM.

The star exhibit in this museum is Space Shuttle Discovery , one of the orbiters from NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. In over 27 years, it has launched and landed 39 times, more than any other spacecraft to date.

A unique activity here is watching specialists at the restoration hangar work on aircraft and spacecraft to preserve them.

There’s also an observation tower on the museum grounds, from where visitors can watch planes landing and departing at nearby Dulles International Airport .

• Address: 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151 | 703-572-4118
• Things to do nearby: Aside from the Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly is known for the Sully Plantation , a nationally registered historic place.

6. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (New York City, New York)

Known as: A military, maritime, and space museum in one, all on an aircraft carrier

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is one of the most unique museums you can visit. This hub for historic aircraft, maritime vessels, and space artifacts is located on the USS Intrepid , an aircraft carrier saved from destruction in 1978.

The Intrepid is berthed on the Hudson River and is a prominent landmark in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in Manhattan.

The centerpiece of the “Space” part of “Sea, Air, and Space Museum” is the Space Shuttle Enterprise located in the Space Shuttle Pavilion . Several artifacts, photographs, audio, video, and other remnants of the space shuttle era.

Also featured here is a space-flown Soyuz TMA-6 launched from the Baikonaur Cosmodrome in Southern Kazakhstan.

Learn more about the history and contributions of the Space Shuttle program by watching Journey to Space (charged separately).

• Address: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036 | 212-245-0072
• Tickets: $33 per head for adults 13 and above; discounts for children 5 to 12, seniors, college students, and New York City residents; children 4 and below, military, and veterans get in free; tickets for tours, shows, and experiences not included
• Things to do nearby: The Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood is famous for its Off-Broadway theaters and trendy restaurants. Central Park is close by, where you’ll never run out of things to do .

7. San Diego Air & Space Museum (San Diego, California)

Known as: Home to California’s official moon rocks

The San Diego Air & Space Museum (SDASM) is home to several aviation and space artifacts from all over the world.

The Modern Jet & Space Age Gallery is dedicated to Wally Schirra, the only astronaut to fly in all three of the early US crewed spaceflight programs (Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo). He donated many items from his space travels to the SDASM.

Famous space artifacts in the SDASM include the original Apollo 9 command module, Wally Schirra’s spacesuit, and California’s official moon rocks: lunar sample displays from Apollo 11 and goodwill moon rocks from Apollo 17.

• Address: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-234-8291
• Tickets: $23 per head for adults 12 and above; discounts for children 3 to 11, seniors, students, and retired military; children 4 and below, military, and veterans get in free; tickets for shows and experiences not included
• Things to do nearby: SDASM is within Balboa Park , a vast city park where there’s something for everyone. Kids will love the San Diego Zoo , one of our picks for the best zoos in the US .

8. Cosmosphere Science Education Center & Space Museum (Hutchinson, Kansas)

Known as: The space museum with the largest collection of Soviet/Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow

Cosmosphere International Science Education Center & Space Museum (or simply the Cosmosphere) is unique among the other museums on this list in that they not only have American spacecraft but also spacecraft from the Soviet Union during the time of the space race.

So not only do they have the Liberty Bell 7 (the second manned spacecraft launched by the US) on display, but they also have a flight-ready backup of Sputnik 1 (the first artificial Earth satellite launched by the Soviet Union and the herald of the Space Age).

Kids will enjoy participating in the interactive science shows at Dr. Goddard’s Lab and watching 3D shows at the Justice Planetarium .

• Address: 1100 N Plum St, Hutchinson, KS 67501 | 800-397-0330
• Tickets: All-access mission pass: $26.50 per head for adults 13 and above; discounts for children 4 to 12, seniors, and military; children 3 and below get in free
• Things to do nearby: From outer space, explore the subterranean world through Strataca , an underground salt mine. Or if you prefer aboveground activities, Sand Hills State Park is a solid hiking and horseback riding destination. For more city-type activities, Wichita is around an hour’s drive via KS-96.

Go on a Trip to One of These Space Museums Soon!

Man has always been fascinated with the sky and how to reach it, and with every advancement in the space program, more and more space geeks are born every minute.

I hope my list of best space museums helps you plan your next trip to get your outer space fix!

Other noteworthy museums to visit

If you’re something of a museum geek, here are other museums you can plan to visit and add to your checklist:

• Best Dinosaur Museums in the US
• Best Children’s Museums in the US
• Best Art Museums in the US
• Best Texas Museums
• Best Zoos in the US
• Best Aquariums in the US

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Best Space Museums and Space Centers in the U.S. for Kids

2019 is the 50th anniversary of the landing on the moon and the perfect time to take your aspiring astronaut or NASA engineer to an air and space museum. Since I have a want-to-be astrophysicist, we make a point of visiting the best space museums on our travels.

There are many space centers in the U.S. so you may not need to travel across the country to work a little astrotourism into your travel schedule. We have visited quite a few, but still have many to see on our list. So I have asked some of my fellow travel bloggers about their local or favorite space museums and air and space centers in the United States.

Best Space Museums & Space Centers in the United States

Eastern states, kennedy space center, cape canaveral, fl.

We absolutely loved our visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. And this was before Hannah was a major space nerd! You think it won’t be great for kids, but it is, I would recommend it for kids six and up and definitely plan on spending the whole day there because there is so much to see.

I would start off at the Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, as this is one of the most exciting for kids. The build up video explaining the background of the Shuttle Program gives way to a big “ah ha” moment when the doors open and you see the actual space shuttle in front of you. Kids get to play with simulators operating a space arm, learn about the Hubble Telescope, slide down the evacuation slide, crawl through a model space station, and learn how astronauts eat, sleep, and poop.

Of course that is just the beginning. If you get a chance, sign up for lunch with an astronaut or plan your visit on a rocket launch day .

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, VA

Our family’s favorite exhibit was the Space Shuttle Discovery. This was such an incredible and impressive sight to see. The Discovery was the most accomplished space shuttle orbiter in the fleet with 133 successful missions and spent 365 days in space. We loved walking around and seeing the shuttle’s details. The Human Spaceflight exhibit also had over 140 space related artifacts including exhibits on how the astronauts lived in space.

But, there was also another hangar filled with various aircrafts used for different types of aviation over the years. This includes military, commercial and even planes used for aerobatic flights. It was amazing to see the Concorde, which was first supersonic airliner up close.

We liked that the exhibits were in spacious hangars to accommodate visitors so it didn’t feel crowded. There were plenty of informative signs for a great educational experience. Let the kids lead the way and see which aircraft catches their eyes. Don’t miss these other activities:

• Visit the observation tower to watch planes departing and landing at adjacent Dulles International Airport. Kids will enjoy the wonderful 360-degree bird’s eye view.
• Watch a movie at the five-story-high IMAX theater if you need some downtime.
• View current projects at the restoration hangar where specialists restore and preserve aircraft and space objects.

By Mary, The World is a Book

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington DC

Visiting the National Air and Space Museum should be high on the to do list for any family trip to Washington, D.C. (when there is not a government shutdown of course!) Kids of all ages are fascinated from the moment they walk in and are surrounded by aircraft in all shapes and sizes.

Over the years, our family has taken advantage of the free admission to visit the museum on numerous occasions. One of the coolest exhibitions is the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall, which contains items like the historic spacecraft that carried the first American to orbit Earth.

Don’t miss Exploring the Planets with its full scale replica of a Voyager spacecraft, and the hands-on How Things Fly exhibit, great for kids who love to see how things work. For an additional fee, you can hop on the Ride and Flight simulators, which were always popular with my kids. Many people don’t realize that the Phoebe Waterman Haas Public Observatory is located just outside the southeast side of the museum, and is open to the public from 12-3 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday.

Be sure to purchase tickets on arrival if the Einstein Planetarium and the IMAX theater are on your schedule. Other tips include downloading the helpful one page guides on the museum website, arriving as close to 10 a.m. as possible, and taking advantage of the extended closing time during the summer months. Note that the museum just begin a seven year renovation project, with intermittent closing of galleries, shops, theaters and cafe. Check their website before you go for the most updated information.

by Kath at familyTravelsUSA

Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton, VA

The Virginia Air and Space Center   was an unexpected surprise when visiting Hampton, Virginia . I imagine this site is now more popular and well-known for being the setting of the movie Hidden Figures , about the female “computers” who were the force behind launching John Glenn into orbit.

At the Virginia Air and Space Center , you can see the original Orion and Apollo capsules. When you look at those metal capsules and you think about the bravery it took to be bolted into those for days without room to even move around — it is astounding.

We took an excellent tour with a guide who remembered the days when the space men were based in Hampton and the attention of the nation was focused on the space program. Getting that insight added so much to the experience and is highly recommended.

We also visited the IMAX Theater to learn about the planning for the mission to Mars. Overall I think the Virginia Air and Space Center was a close competitor to the more widely visited National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

Central States

U.s. space and rocket center, huntsville, al.

Huntsville, Alabama is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (and space camp!) It’s truly an experience you don’t want to miss out on. The exhibits are family friendly and offer experiences that show how life is in space. A highlight of this attraction was the Marshall Space Flight Center Bus. On this tour, you must have some form of identification on you, as all guests must be United States citizens. A stop at the Payload Operations Center was an experience I will never forget. Here we were able to watch astronauts while they worked on board the International Space Station.

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center also offers several educational opportunities for homeschooling families. Homeschooling Adventure Days are held throughout the year and walk in participants are welcome. No pre-registration is required.  I was also intrigued to learn that many students from all around the globe come to Huntsville, Alabama to participate in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, art & mathematics) classes that they offer.

Several indoor and outdoor exhibits are located throughout the facility. The Moon Shot is a popular attraction, as participants will experience 4 Gs of force on launch and 2-3 seconds of weightlessness. Several other attractions offer simulators that allow participants to feel what life is like in space.

Kids of all ages will enjoy what the U.S. Space & Rocket Center has to offer in Huntsville, Alabama. The center offers a time for families to slow down, enjoy each other and learn a little bit about space along the way. Family experiences provide memories of a lifetime and why not make them in Huntsville, Alabama?

by Sara, Travel with Sara

Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL

Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, Ashland, NE

Space Center Houston

A trip to Space Center Houston is like no other. As we turned into the parking lot, we were greeted with a life-size replica of space shuttle Independence mounted on top of the original NASA 905 shuttle aircraft carrier, the same one which carried shuttles 223 times in its lifetime. You won’t find that anywhere else.

The center surprised us at every turn, providing educational opportunities and plenty of fun. A favorite memory – touching the moon. A moon rock, that is, one that was 3.8 billion years old. There are only eight moon rocks available to touch in the entire world, so take advantage. Space Center Houston surprisingly has the largest public display of moon rocks in the world deep within its Lunar Samples Vault.

Along with housing three actual spacecraft which have flown in outer space, the center also is home to President Kennedy’s podium where he famously spoke at a Houston campus of heading to the moon. But the real treat was discovering that our admission included a tram ride into Johnson Space Center.

TIP: If you can, avoid visiting in July and August when the heat and humidity can be a bit unbearable in Houston. Why? Access and queues to the shuttle replica, shuttle aircraft carrier, and both tram tours, though covered, are outside.

By, Debra from Finding Debra

Western States

Spaceport america, nm.

Spaceport America , located in the high desert of New Mexico, is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport. Home to Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, UP Aerospace, and EnergeticX, Spaceport represents the future of space travel.

Tours of Spaceport start at the Visitor’s Center in Truth and Consequences, New Mexico (not far from White Sands National Monument .) You then board a shuttle for a 45 minute ride out into the desert. The tour includes a stop at Spaceport headquarters, home of mission control, and a ride out onto the Spaceway (the runway for space craft.) When we visited in June 2018, there wasn’t a lot going on. But with Virgin Galactic since moving in and starting trials in preparation for the first passenger space travel, things are going to get more exciting. This is a stop for hard-core space fans.

Very Large Array, Socorro, NM

The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array is a radio astronomy observatory located approximately two hours from Albuquerque in New Mexico. Most people know this site from the movie Contact , in which actress Jodi Foster was “listening” for sounds from space. The Very Large Array (VLA) actually “listens” in a different manner. It uses radio waves to map black holes, track space craft, and make discoveries about the origins of the universe.

It is a long drive for the casual observer, so the trek is best made by those with a serious interest in astronomy and space exploration. The visitor center is fairly small, but the documentary narrated by Jodi Foster goes far in explaining how the VLA operates. After touring the visitor center, you can follow a self-guided path past a sundial and up to the dishes. Just keep in mind that phones need to be turned completely off to not interfere with signals. When you go, try to time your visit on the first or third Saturday of the month to participate in public tours. Also check out their listings of special events.

Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, Tucson, AZ

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, CA

Griffith Observatory, located in Los Angeles, California, is a favorite destination for astronomy enthusiasts of all ages.  In addition to gorgeous views of the city of Los Angeles below, as well as a birds-eye view of the famous Hollywood sign, the grounds of the observatory feature a scale model of our solar system, marble statues that pay homage to famous astronomers such as Copernicus, Newton, and Einstein, and an armillary sphere and sundial. 

The observatory is home to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, known as the finest planetarium in the world. The observatory uses state-of-the-art technology to brilliantly display the universe and all its wonders in a 290-seat theater.  Griffith Observatory also features a mesmerizing two-story Foucault pendulum in its main rotunda, a working tesla coil, and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater.  Exhibits in space exploration, telescopes, solar and lunar research, planetary alignment, and more inspire awe and curiosity in visitors.  

Film buffs may recognize Griffith Observatory from several movies, including The Terminator, La La Land, Transformers, and Back to the Future, but none is more famous than the 1955 movie, Rebel Without A Cause, starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, and Dean is memorialized with a bust on the west lawn of the observatory, facing the Hollywood sign.

A few tips:  Admission to the observatory is free, but there is a charge for planetarium tickets. Parking at the observatory can be challenging as there is limited parking spaces, so most opt to park on the road leading up to the observatory and hike up.  There is a fee for parking in the lot closest to the observatory, but lower parking is free. The observatory hosts educational programs and public star parties, so be sure to check their calendar for a schedule of events. 

By Julie, A Cork, Fork and Passport

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: February 6, 2019

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Visit Outer Space

The ‘IMILOA ASTRONOMY CENTER OF HAWAI‘I is an extraordinary facility where the volcano and its telescopes meet indigenous Hawaiian culture and language to articulate the intriguing link between the secrets of the stars and the ancient path of Hawai‘i’s native culture. The 40,000-square-foot complex, located above the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus, houses a state-of-the-art planetarium complex and an exhibition hall dedicated to Mauna Kea. The 120-seat planetarium theater is constructed with a dome that features cutting-edge 3D theater technology. Planetarium visitors choose from a full schedule of shows including its signature attraction, “Maunakea: Between Earth and Sky,” which explores the connections between Hawaiian culture and astronomy.

Visitors will learn about the Hawaiian and scientific beliefs and practices via a myriad of exhibits that are told in two sections: “Origins” and “Explorations.” The Origins section covers the beginnings of life in the universe and on planet Earth, while the Explorations area showcases Hawaiian voyaging canoes how they enabled human exploration as well as how telescopes aid in astronomical discoveries. ‘IMILOA ASTRONOMY CENTER 808-932-8900

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A Little Bit of History

Visit a Vintage Palace

Discover King Kamehameha Country

Explore An Ahupua‘a

Beyond the city.

Ride an ATV to a Private Waterfall

Go South by South

Tour Old Kona Town

Essential big island, scout out an 18th-century war temple.

Savor a Town Built Around Coffee

Pick A Beach

Upcoming events, food, fun & after dark.

Go Wine Tasting In Paradise

Live Hawaiian Music on the Big Island

Land diversions.

Drive the Hamakua Coast

Here Come The Blooms

Get on a utv, sea adventures.

Track the Underwater Kingdom

Ride The Swells In An Ocean Raft

Walk on water, up in the air.

Take Off From Waikoloa

Fly above it all.

Let Yourself Go on a Zipline

Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

SMITHSONIAN EDUCATION

Finding Our Place in Space Through the Lenses of Art, Culture, History and Science

A new Smithsonian guide features tips for exploring objects in the sky, examines technology that helps us better understand the universe, and explores ways culture and the arts have used the cosmos to stimulate our imaginations

Carol Wilson & Erika Wright

Some of humanity’s greatest unresolved questions are about the nature of the universe. These questions have been pondered for generations, as people seek to understand how the galaxies, stars, and planets originated. At the Smithsonian, planetary scientists and astrophysicists continue to lead the quest to unlock the fundamental secrets of the cosmos, bringing us closer to answers than ever before. They explore Earth’s place in our own solar system, as well as other earth-like worlds orbiting around distant stars; they investigate the history of the Universe from Earth's geological past and present to the formation and evolution of planets, stars, and galaxies; and they showcase the results of their explorations and connect them to humankind's artistic and cultural endeavors.

Not an astrophysicist? No problem! Everyone, no matter their age or background can make a personal connection to the sky. To get started, think about these connections you may have to the cosmos: seeing a “shooting star,” tracing patterns in constellations, taking family trips outdoors, enjoying favorite sci-fi movies or books, witnessing historical astronomical events like an eclipse, attending sun or moon-centered festivals, or even experiencing seasonal observations.

Finding Our Place in Space

A new Smithsonian guide, “ Wonder & Awe ," features stories and activities that connect us to our “place in space” through the lenses of art, culture, history, and science.  The sky belongs to everyone – from the women who mapped the universe over a century ago, to the astronomers who captured the first picture of a black hole, to the artists who inspire us with celestial connections.

Arts and Culture in the Universe

Artist Alma Thomas (1891–1978) was curious about the wonders of the universe. A singular figure in the story of twentieth-century American art, Thomas developed her unique style of abstract painting after retiring from a long career as an art teacher in Washington D.C. Her colorful, rhythmic paintings were influenced by elements of nature, music, and space. The Smithsonian American Art Museum  holds the largest public collection of works by Alma Thomas in the world. Many of Thomas’s space paintings - - from her shimmering red canvas inspired by the supergiant star Antares, to her rainbow-hued round composition referencing the Apollo 8 lunar module nicknamed “Snoopy” - - reflect the vibrant optimism of the space age. Her painting The Eclipse was inspired by a total solar eclipse in 1970 and reflects the moment when the Moon fleetingly blocked the view of the Sun from the Earth, morphing into a dark sphere surrounded by an explosion of light and color on canvas.

The unique vision of artists and cultural storytellers has helped translate the wonders of the universe for centuries. Oral traditions of the Tlingit in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest explain the origins of some celestial bodies and inspired artist Preston Singletary to create Raven Steals the Sun , a sculpture inspired by the story of the trickster Raven who captures the Sun, Moon and Stars and releases them to bring light into our world. Artist Margaret Nazon, a member of the Gwich’in First Nation in Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, Canada, created fabric and beaded artworks based on images from the Hubble Space Telescope, combining traditional beading techniques she learned as a child with contemporary scientific imagery. Her fabric artwork Night Sky depicts galaxies of stars, comets, and constellations including Ursa Major, Cassiopeia, and Orion, the Hunter, objects that help people orient themselves in relation to the stars.

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe

Unraveling the mysteries of the Universe is a complicated process, with each discovery building on the last. At the Smithsonian, we have a long history of peering into the cosmos in search of these answers. Samuel Pierpont Langley, the third secretary of the Smithsonian, founded the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) in 1890, primarily for studies of the Sun. Today, SAO’s efforts to understand the physical processes on the Sun and the many ways it influences Earth, like all of our astrophysics research, takes teams of experts from varied backgrounds to pursue. In fact, it’s this collaborative effort that makes modern astrophysics research so successful. From engineers, to imaging scientists, astrophysicists to artificial intelligence experts, data scientists to educators, broad and diverse teams are needed to answer our unresolved questions about the nature of the universe.

As Mary Dussault, Science Education Program Manager at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory puts it: “There are thousands of things you can do in science education. First, you get to learn more about the universe. Then, you can do whatever you're great at to help other people learn. If you're an artist, you can create great info-graphics; if you're a writer, you can write fascinating articles; if you're a hands-on maker, you can create museum exhibits; if you're a you-tuber, you can create videos that teach science; if you like teamwork, you can coach other educators.”

Expanding Astronomical Horizons

NASA’s Great Observatories have given, and continue to give, us some of the most awe inspiring peeks into our universe. Their ability to capture information beyond that which our eyes can see provides us with new and exciting opportunities to understand the world around us every day. The Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of these great observatories – currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, recently joined forces with the James Webb Space Telescope to discover the most distant black hole ever detected in X-rays. This new discovery is considered the best evidence to date that some early black holes formed from massive clouds of gas. But you don’t have to have access to NASA telescopes to be a part of this great community of night sky investigators! You simply have to be curious.

Here’s some great ideas to get you started:

• Pay attention to the Moon and Sun. Everyone, no matter where they live, can join in observing our two most celebrated celestial objects. 
• Start Looking Up : Find a dark place like a highschool ball field, a park, or in a city this might be a rooftop you have safe access to. Bring a blanket, and let your eyes adjust. Searching for constellations is a great way to start. 
• Telescopes and binoculars can really enhance your observing experience. Did you know many libraries have telescopes you can borrow!
• Take your own images using the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s MicroObservatory Robotic Telescopes . All you need is an email address to get started.
• Explore the Universe with your other senses, and listen to A Universe of Sound , a project from the Chandra X-ray Observatory to translate data into sound.  

We hope you’re inspired by the work of scientists, artists, designers, and historians featured in this guide. Tomorrow’s eclipse is a reminder that the sky belongs to everyone. Take this opportunity to expand your horizons, and examine your personal, cultural, and scientific connections to the sky. Just like the Universe, our connections to the world around us are ever evolving. What stories do you want to tell about your place in space? Join the Smithsonian in expressing them through poetry, painting, song, and more. Then share them– with your friends, your family, and with us! 

Editor's Note: The "Wonder & Awe" guide is now available online for viewing and download , featuring connections to the story of the Smithsonian's sunburst logo and the graphic designer Crimilda Pontes who created it; how artists including Alma Thomas , Margaret Nazon (Gwich’in Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories), and Preston Singletary (Tlingit), have been inspired by celestial objects; ongoing research and data collection from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and its partners; tips for observing the night sky ; and pathways for students to learn more about astronomy through programming and research opportunities.

Carol Wilson | READ MORE

Carol Wilson is the Lunder Education Chair at the Smithsonian American Art Museum where she leads museum learning and engagement at SAAM and The Renwick Gallery. She oversees a department responsible for K-12 learning, audience research, visitor-centered interpretive experiences, accessibility programs, and an international distance learning program that fosters critical thinking skills and global competence. Wilson serves on SAAM’s senior leadership team and collaborates across the Smithsonian to develop and implement institutional strategies and learning initiatives. She developed a love for museums growing up in Boston and began her Smithsonian career at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, landing at SAAM in 2004 after a two-year detour in Brussels, Belgium.

Erika Wright | READ MORE

Erika Wright is an Education Specialist in the Science Education Department at SAO, specializing in supporting the inclusive participation of girls, youth from groups underrepresented in STEM, and scientists together in science learning experiences beyond the classroom. Erika has worked in a variety of museum and informal learning settings. She earned her Masters from the George Washington University Museum Education Program. Before coming to SAO, Erika developed youth programs at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.

Blog UK Space Agency blog

https://space.blog.gov.uk/2024/04/04/passing-comets-and-meteor-showers-the-uk-night-sky-in-april-2024/

Passing comets and meteor showers: the UK night sky in April 2024

While the spring night skies still have a chill in them, it is a wonderful time for some stargazing. Comet Pons-Brooks will be visible in the first half of the month and April provides a great opportunity to see the spring constellations and the Lyrids meteor shower later.

More westerly parts of the UK will also experience a partial solar eclipse on Monday 8 April.

Comet Pons-Brooks

This Comet starts the month in the constellation of Aries (see the star-map in last month’s edition ) and continues to brighten in our western evening skies, with observers from dark-sky sites reporting seeing it with the naked eye.

Unfortunately it will be increasingly difficult to spot due to the glow of the lighter evenings, and the middle of the month, where the comet will lie just beneath the planet Jupiter, will likely be the last opportunity to spot it.

The spring constellations host spectacular galaxies

While the winter constellations of Orion, Taurus and Auriga begin to glide towards the western horizon after dark this month, the large spring constellations of Leo and Ursa Major are now prominent in the south-east.

Leo chases the constellation of Cancer (the Crab), a simple but distinctive constellation notable for the fuzzy patch of light that portrays the crab’s shell. This light is actually emerging from ‘Praesepe’ or the ‘Beehive Cluster’, a group of around 1,000 stars that lie around 600 light-years away.

Ursa Major is the largest constellation in the skies of the northern hemisphere, and is probably best known for the brighter stars within it that make up the pattern of the Plough, or ‘Big Dipper’.

These seven stars are visible even from light polluted towns and cities and make up the hindquarters and tail of the Ursa Major, the ‘Great Bear’.

If you have binoculars or a telescope, scan the skies around the star Alkaid (see the sky map below to locate this star) where two large galaxies can be found.

The Pinwheel Galaxy (or ‘Messier 101’) is a galaxy of around a trillion stars lying around 20 million light-years away.

The Whirlpool Galaxy (or ‘Messier 51’) lies in neighbouring constellation Canes Venatici, and actually consists of two galaxies that are merging together due to gravity. It hosts around 100 billion stars and lies around 30 million light-years away.

These galaxies will appear as very small and faint fuzzy patches of light, though under darker skies away from the bright lights of our towns and cities, even small telescopes will enable you to see more detail in these galaxies.

The Lyrids meteor shower

Meteors, often called ‘shooting stars’, occur when small fragments of rock, dust and ice left in the wake of comets or asteroids, fall into our atmosphere and burn up.

This month brings the Lyrid meteor shower, which occurs as Earth passes through the material left behind the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, with fragments entering our atmosphere at around 50km (30miles) per second.

Did you know?

The Lyrids are the oldest recorded meteor shower, with Chinese astronomers recording its appearance in the night sky over 2,500 years ago!

Chinese astronomers recorded sightings of the Lyrid meteors as far back as 687BC, but as the comet causing them only re-appears every 416 years, it wasn’t discovered until 1861.

We’ll not see Comet Thatcher again in our lifetimes, with its next passage around the Sun expected around 2283.

It's likely there will be an increased number of meteors visible throughout the second half of the month, with the peak of the shower is expected to fall on 22 - 23 April.

For the best chance to spot them you’ll need to face away from the near-full Moon that coincides with the shower’s peak and avoid any bright sources of light. Give your eyes time to adapt to the dark and spend some time looking up at the stars – good luck!

Partial solar eclipse

While the UK won’t see a total solar eclipse until 2090, observers in Ireland and the western parts of the UK will be treated to a partial solar eclipse this month. On Monday 8 April, a narrow strip across the United States will experience ‘totality’, as the Moon passes directly between the Sun and our planet.

The Sun will already have set across much of England by the time the eclipse begins at 7:55pm, but much of Scotland, Wales and the south-western tip of England will get a few minutes to see the Sun partially eclipsed before it sets.

SAFETY: While the Sun may look less bright in the evenings, it can still damage your eyes as well as optical equipment if looking directly at it. It is important to use a special filter to view the sun safely.

For information on the eclipse in your location and for exact timings, you can find more information here .

We are deeply saddened to learn that Welsh astrophotographer Alyn Wallace has died. Alyn’s award-winning astrophotography, introductions to the night sky, tutorials and many other works inspired and informed countless stargazers and photographers alike. You can find some of Alyn’s remarkable images on Instagram , X and Flickr .

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First drive in Tesla’s new Cybertruck: it’s like a visit from outer space

This stainless steel tank with its flat panels and almost sharp edges looks like a space cowboy has taken the wrong exit on the milky way.

Elon Musk’s latest model is rolling off the production line and a handful of customers have been coming to the plant every day since November to take delivery

After a two-year delay, Elon Musk started delivering a few Cybertrucks at the end of last year.

No electric car is as hotly debated as Tesla ’s Cybertruck. Yet hardly anyone has ever sat in one. We have – and took off on our maiden voyage in Texas of all places.

Whether out on the ranches, in downtown Austin, or in front of Terry Black’s trendy BBQ joint: Texas is truck country. By our count, every third car is a Ford F-150, a Chevrolet Silverado or a Ram 1500.

And then you spot a Cybertruck.

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Elon Musk’s latest model is rolling off the production line just outside the Texas capital, and a handful of customers have been coming to the plant every day since November to take delivery.

One of them was Shaheen Badiyan, who ordered the Cybertruck on the first day the order books were opened five years ago. And while Tesla itself is opposed to all test drives, the software specialist was persuaded to let us have his car for a few hours.

In reality and on the roads of Texas, at 5.7 meters long the Cybertruck is rather modest compared to its competitors

So we approach the dazzling eccentric with the same curiosity that everyone here has for it.

Although nobody really turns around to look at a regular pickup truck in Texas, the Cybertruck is sure to attract everyone’s attention.

Passersby stop and knock on the supposedly bulletproof glass window at traffic lights, other drivers on the highway race each other for the best camera position with their mobile phones out. Wherever you get out of this Tesla, you get into a conversation about it.

In reality and on the roads of Texas, at 5.7 meters long the Cybertruck is rather modest compared to its competitors, closer to the Amarok than to the F-150.

But with a front end as high and flat as a bulldozer, it commands everyone’s respect on the road. Among all the regular pickups with their mighty grilles and muscular flanks, the stainless-steel tank, with its flat panels and almost sharp edges, looks like a space cowboy has taken the wrong exit on the Milky Way. Rarely has a name been as appropriate as Cybertruck.

But you can’t look that closely if you don’t want to spoil the fascination: after a week, Badiyan’s truck is still free of the rust stains that are currently causing a furore in the Tesla forums.

But even though the proud owner is constantly polishing it, the steel shimmers in all sorts of different shades and always has spots everywhere. And yes, precision in sheet metal work is different.

And while the number of screens may still be debatable, the Cybertruck lacks all the practical virtues that have matured in the others over half a century

The differences between the new and old pickup worlds are particularly striking in the interior. Like every Tesla, the Cybertruck is as simply furnished as a monastery cell, whereas Ford, Chevy and similar models, with their plush armchairs and sofas, thick leather and all the chrome trimmings, look more like livingrooms on wheels.

And while the number of screens – one large one in the Tesla, soon half a dozen in the new Ram – may still be debatable, the Cybertruck lacks all the practical virtues that have matured in the others over half a century: a large flatbed and a small frunk alone do not make this pickup a practical commercial vehicle.

It doesn’t matter. At least not for Shaheen Badiyan. After all, he is not a farmer or a cowboy, but makes his money in cybersecurity and bought the Cybertruck because it is so different. And because he is one of the first e-drivers.

The basic model with only one motor on the rear axle and a battery for 400 kilometres will probably not be available until next year at the earliest, while the 845hp Cyberbeast – with its insane sprint time of 2.6 seconds – costs a hefty $99,990 (€92,190) and is only being delivered in tiny numbers so far.

I swipe the car forward in the top left corner and the Cybertruck beams me from what Elon Musk calls the automotive Stone Age into the future

So Badiyan is driving the AWD model for $79,990 (€73,734). The vehicle’s registration certificate shows 607hp and the WLTP range is 547 kilometres. Tesla has not told him how big his battery is, and Badiyan estimates it at a good 100 kWh.

In any case, he has not yet driven it empty in his first two weeks, and he has also not yet tested whether the Supercharger really has 250kW in it. “The charging box on the wall at home is enough for me, I don’t drive that far.”

That’s why he decided against the range extender, which isn’t a combustion engine with a generator, but an additional battery pack mounted on the flatbed that gives his car a good 200 kilometres more range.

Badiyan tells me his PIN, which I dutifully enter on the screen as I would on a mobile phone. I then embarrass myself by looking around the steering wheel or anywhere else for a gearshift.

The direction of travel in the Cybertruck is determined on the screen, just as it has been for two years in the Model S and Model X, my laughing passenger instructs me with a shake of his head. So I swipe the car forward in the top left corner and the Cybertruck beams me from what Elon Musk calls the automotive Stone Age into the future.

In an instant, Ben Cartwright from Ponderosa Ranch becomes Captain Kirk on his way through the galaxy.

It’s hard to imagine the silver oddball as a ubiquitous Texan car and as a replacement or at least a serious rival to the F-150, Silverado or Ram 1500

Instead of the babble of an eight-cylinder engine, all you hear is a whirring sound and I’ve reached the Texan speed limit in no time at all. Even with this beast of sheet metal, 4.3 seconds is enough for 0 to 100km/h – and the fascination increases with the mass that is moved so effortlessly here. And the fact that the Cybertruck can reach speeds of up to 180km/h, while the F-150 and the like are usually limited to around 160km/h, is of course not bad either.

But shortly after that, the enthusiasm is over. Because as practical as the air suspension may be for reducing the entry height or increasing the ground clearance to more than 40 centimetres off-road, it struggles to cope with bumps in the road in everyday driving.

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And as if the moderate suspension comfort wasn’t enough, the steering also – well – takes some getting used to.

The combination of drive-by-wire technology with variable gear ratios and moderate feedback, a pronounced rear-axle steering, chunky Goodyear tyres on the 20-inch rims and the almost right-angled steering wheel make for some unpleasantly angular driving manoeuvres, especially when manoeuvring and in city traffic.

After half a day in Austin, it’s hard to imagine the silver oddball as a ubiquitous Texan car and as a replacement or at least a serious rival to the F-150, Silverado or Ram 1500.

Of course, the Cybertruck is a fascinating car and, above all, a spectacular statement. And with its radical design, it steals the show from any Lamborghini Urus. But it is more of an accessory for show-offs and avant-gardists than a car for everyday use, even in the land of the pickup. And that means it will have even less relevance on the streets of Dublin or the farms of Ireland.

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Celebrity News March 31, 2024

Barbara rush, 'peyton place,' 'it came from outer space' star, dies at 97.

Barbara Rush, the regal Old Hollywood star associated with her work on "Peyton Place" and in the sci-fi classic "It Came from Outer Space," has died at 97.

Her daughter, Fox News reporter Claudia Cowan, confirmed her passing .

Born January 4, 1927, in Denver, she started her career on the stage in 1937.

After a move to California, Rush made her film debut in the comedy "The Goldbergs," based on a popular radio and TV series, 74 years ago.

Having appeared in several more features, she won a Golden Globe as Most Promising Female Newcomer for her work in "It Came from Outer Space" (1953), an early 3D film that has been reappraised over the years and is considered a classic in the genre.

Rush had been the second-to-last surviving member of that cast — actress Kathleen Hughes is with us at 95.

Throughout her career, Rush was known for her classic beauty and elegance, making memorable impressions in the films "Magnificent Obsession" (1954), directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson; "Bigger Than Life" (1956), directed by Nicholas Ray and starring James Mason; "The Young Lions" (1958), starring Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift; and "Robin and the 7 Hoods" (1964), starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Bing Crosby.

On TV, Rush was villainous Nora Clavicle on "Batman" (1968) and enjoyed a 75-episode run as Marsha Russell on nighttime soap "Peyton Place" (1968-1969).

Later work included appearing in the camp classic "Can't Stop the Music" (1980) and stints as a regular on the soaps "Flamingo Road" (1980-1982) and "All My Children" (1992-1994), dozens of TV guest spots, as well as extensive stage credits.

After 10 episodes on "7th Heaven" as Ruth Camden (1997-2007), she retired, returning only to make an appearance in the comic short "Bleeding Hearts: The Arteries of Glenda Bryant" (2017) alongside her niece, actress Carolyn Hennesy.

Rush was married three times: to "King of Kings" (1961) actor Jeffrey Hunter, to publicist Warren Cowan of Rogers & Cowan, and to Jim Gruzalski. All three ended in divorce.

She is survived by her two children, Christopher Hunter and Claudia Cowan, as well as other family.

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• International

Total solar eclipse 2024

By Ashley Strickland , Elise Hammond , Maureen Chowdhury , Antoinette Radford, Eric Zerkel and Aditi Sangal , CNN

In pictures: Watching the solar eclipse across North America

From CNN Digital’s Photo Team

Click here for more spectacular photos from today's eclipse.

Why eclipses create a "beautiful coincidence" on Earth

From CNN's Ashley Strickland

Americans are a little spoiled when it comes to eclipses. After all, we just experienced one that the majority of the country got to see, and it comes on the heels of the "Great American Eclipse" that tracked from Oregon to South Carolina in 2017.

But that doesn't often happen. And it won't again until the 2040s.

On average, an eclipse occurs in the same place every 375 years, said Dr. John Mulchaey, Carnegie Institution for Science’s deputy for science and the director and Crawford H. Greenewalt Chair of the Carnegie Observatories.

And we’re living at the right time to truly enjoy the sight of a total eclipse on Earth, he said.

While eclipses occur throughout the solar system, none are exactly like the ones experienced in our world.

The moon is about 400 times smaller than the sun, but the moon is also about 400 times closer to Earth than the sun is, creating a “beautiful coincidence” that results in eclipses when the three celestial bodies align, Mulchaey said.

This alignment is called syzygy, or when three objects line up in space.

In the distant past, the moon was much closer to Earth, which means totality likely didn’t appear as it does now. And within another 60 million years or so, the moon will be so far away that it will never cover the sun, making this a rare moment in time, Mulchaey said.

The long history of myths and folklore inspired by eclipses

From CNN's Ashley Strickland and Terry Ward

Eclipses have long inspired terror and awe as ancient cultures sought ways to explain the celestial phenomenon .

“I find the mythology and folklore of eclipses fascinating,” said Mark Littman, a journalism professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and coauthor of “ Totality: The Great North American Eclipse of 2024 .”

“To see how people long ago and people today reacted to a total eclipse of the Sun, a sight so unexpected, so dramatic, so surprising in appearance, and so unnatural even though it is utterly natural.”

Ancient records of eclipses date back to 772 BC, when the Chinese marked them on animal bones, and 750 BC, when Babylonians recorded eclipses in their cuneiform writing on clay tablets, Littmann said. Both cultures "realized there was a rhythm to eclipses," which meant they could be calculated and predicted in the future.

Despite the ability to predict eclipses, the cause of the eclipse remained unknown, so myths and folklore filled the knowledge gap.

"The mythology of eclipses most often involves a beast that tries to eat the sun for lunch. For the Chinese, that beast was a dragon or a dog. For Scandinavians, it was a wolf," Littmann said.

Those in northern South America thought the sun and moon fought one another, trying to shut off each other's light, he said.

Transylvanian folklore suggested that the sun looked down on Earth, saw the corruption of humans, and turned away in disgust.

And the Fon people of western Africa thought the male sun ruled the day, while the female moon ruled the night.

"They love each other, but they are so busy traversing the sky and providing light that they seldom get together," Littmann said. "Yet when they do, they modestly turn off the light."

Eclipses provide unique opportunities for NASA scientists to learn more about the future of the sun

From CNN's Elise Hammond

NASA scientists took full advantage of Monday’s eclipse to collect data and study the Earth, moon and sun in different ways, the agency’s deputy administrator said. One area of specific interest is the sun’s corona , or outer atmosphere.

“This is a very elusive region and it can be viewed during a solar eclipse in a very special way,” Pam Melroy said during a news conference at the end of March .

She said understanding the corona is “key to understanding fundamental questions about how heat and energy are transferred out into the solar wind,” which contributes to how solar wind and flares impacts Earth.

“Things are happening with the corona (that) we don’t fully understand and the eclipse gives us a unique opportunity to collect data that may give insights into the future of our star,” Melroy said.

And this is an especially good year to study the corona, she said. The sun is approaching  solar maximum — the peak of activity — later this year, and scientists are eager to capture this moment through a variety of observations that can only occur during eclipses. During solar maximum, the sun’s magnetic poles flip and then the sun will grow quiet again during a solar minimum.

“The chance that we are going to see something amazing is very high,” Melroy said.

Former NASA astronaut says she hopes eclipse sparks sense of connectedness with the universe

A former NASA astronaut said she hopes Monday’s total solar eclipse inspires a connection between everyone who witnessed it and the universe.

“We’re all part of this universe – and the universe was showing us some of its secrets at that point in time,” Mae Jemison told CNN.

While viewing totality in Bloomington, Indiana, the former astronaut said she was thinking about other times she experienced eclipses. 

When she saw a partial eclipse as a child in Chicago, Jemison said she was trying to make sense of what was happening.

But then thinking about her time as an astronaut, “it reinforced the feeling that when I look up, when I look away from the Earth when I was in space, it again connects me with this world, with this universe – and know that I have a responsibility.”

Jemison said science is about building on knowledge for the next generation, and the eclipse was an opportunity to do just that. Scientists used Monday’s eclipse to gather data to better understand the sun but Jemison said she hopes there is also learning at a personal level.

“I hope what people discover is themselves and their connectedness to the rest of the universe,” she said.

Eclipse Explained: Is there anywhere that saw totality in both 2017 and 2024? 

Yes! There is an area where both 2017 and 2024 paths of totality intersect. According to a map from NASA , that area includes parts of Missouri, southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

One of the places in that intersection, Carbondale, Illinois, experienced the longest period of totality in 2017 at 2 minutes, 42 seconds, according to NASA. 

Seeing the eclipse again more than 20 years later

From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz

Juan M. Soto Peña and his wife experienced the joy of a total solar eclipse alongside their daughter, Luciana, in Tucson, Arizona.

The couple saw a partial solar eclipse together on December 25, 2000, in the state of Sonora in Mexico, he said.

Worried about eye damage? Here are the signs you should visit an optometrist after the eclipse

Maybe your eclipse glasses were fake. Perhaps you forgot to slip them back on as the first bit of sunlight reappeared after totality. Or you noticed your child, friend or family member looking up at the sun without putting on their glasses.

Symptoms of eye damage after improperly viewing the eclipse without proper protection can take hours or days to manifest. They include loss of central vision, altered color vision or distorted vision .

And if you notice any symptoms or experience eye discomfort, make an appointment immediately using the American Optometric Association's doctor locator , said Ronald Benner, an optometrist and president of the American Optometric Association.

“For most people, it’s an alteration of color vision,” Benner said. “The next morning, colors just don’t look right, or it may be bleached out it or just kind of hazy all the time. For others, it may be that they actually have holes in their vision.”

If the damage occurs in the center of someone’s vision, it can affect the ability to read or recognize faces, Benner said.

Here's what the eclipse looked like from the International Space Station

From CNN's Taylor Nicioli

From space, crew members at the International Space Station saw a different perspective of the celestial event — the moon’s shadow cast onto Earth.

The orbiting laboratory "soared into the moon’s shadow" and NASA Flight Engineers Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps got a chance to capture it following their “workday filled with cargo transfers, spacesuit maintenance, and microgravity research,” according to a statement from NASA . The astronauts took pictures and videos of the shadow of the moon as seen from their position about 260 miles above southeastern Canada. 

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