10 Shocking Predictions for Space Tourism by 2035

Predictions for Space Tourism: Buckle up — the dream of vacationing above the clouds is about to get a lot louder. Space tourism predictions for 2035 paint a world where weekend getaways might include an orbital hotel, billionaire-hosted lunar villas, and suborbital joyrides sold in subscription packages. What today feels like sci-fi will likely be part of the mainstream travel industry within a decade. This article walks you through 10 shocking — but plausible — space tourism predictions for 2035, explains how each could happen, gives practical tips for would-be travelers, and points to the companies, regulations, and economics driving the change. Read on for a future that’s equal parts wonder, engineering, and cold, hard economics.

Quick primer: What “space tourism” looks like today (short background)

Space tourism today includes brief suborbital hops (minutes of weightlessness), orbital stays on the International Space Station (ISS) arranged by private companies, and growing plans for private orbital stations and lunar missions. Companies like Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, SpaceX, and Axiom are the primary commercial players; regulators such as the FAA are already setting safety and training rules for human commercial spaceflight. The market value estimates vary widely depending on included segments (suborbital, orbital, lunar), but research firms show aggressive growth projections through the 2030s. Wikipedia+2FAA+2

Table: Types of space tourism (quick compare)

Type	Experience length	Typical cost (2024–2025 ballpark)	Primary providers / platforms
Suborbital	Minutes of weightlessness; flight up-and-back same day	~$200k–$450k per seat (reported ranges)	Blue Origin New Shepard, Virgin Galactic (spaceplane) Resident Magazine+1
Orbital short-stay	Days to weeks aboard ISS or private station	Tens of millions per seat historically; variable	Axiom Space missions (with SpaceX vehicles) The Guardian+1
Private orbital hotels	Multi-day to multi-week stays	Projected to fall as capacity increases (still expensive in 2025)	Axiom Space, other private station developers Axiom Space
Lunar tourism	Flyby/landing on moon	Hundreds of millions to billions historically speculated	Future commercial lunar missions (govt+private partnerships) Live Science

The 10 shocking space tourism predictions for 2035

1) Suborbital flights become a subscription travel category

Prediction: By 2035, suborbital space tourism will be sold in subscription bundles — think “3 weightless weekends per year” packages for high-net-worth frequent flyers.
Why it could happen: Vehicle reuse, operational streamlining, and competition will push per-flight costs down and allow companies to market recurring experiences. Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin pioneered suborbital tourism; with regular cadence and refined operations, firms can optimize crew training and manifest planning to support repeat customers. The model mirrors current adventure-travel subscriptions (e.g., yacht memberships). Virgin Galactic+1
Traveler tip: If you want a subscription, start building a flight-readiness profile now — cardiovascular fitness, brief zero-G training, and willingness to accept risk disclosures will help you jump the queue.

2) Orbital hotels — and influencer-designed rooms — will open for reservations

Prediction: Multiple private orbital hotels or hospitality modules will accept reservations by the early 2030s; by 2035 these will be bookable like luxury resorts. Some rooms will be co-designed with celebrities and influencers.
Why it could happen: Axiom Space and other companies are already developing private orbital infrastructure and data center nodes for sustained operations; private modules attached to the ISS or free-flying stations are a logical step to monetize longer stays and experiments. As infrastructure scales, hospitality design will follow — and influencer branding will help sell aspirational packages. TechRadar+1
Entertainment angle: Expect livestreamed “space influencers” hosting guided zero-G yoga, space cuisine tastings, and micro-concerts from orbit.

3) Moon flybys and short lunar landings become marketed to the ultra-wealthy — and a few will occur

Prediction: By 2035, one or more privately arranged lunar flybys or short landings will have occurred for paying customers, though at eye-watering prices. Governments and new players (including state-backed programs) may accelerate lunar tourism.
Why it could happen: China’s lunar ambitions and international private efforts make lunar missions technically plausible before 2035; commercial human lunar activity is now in many national roadmaps and industry forecasts. These missions will be rare and expensive but achievable for consortiums or wealthy individuals. Live Science
Safety/regulation note: Lunar trips will require cooperation between national space agencies and strict mission licensing — expect complex international approvals.

4) “Commercial orbital residencies” (months-long stays) for research + leisure

Prediction: There will be programs offering month-long orbital residencies that combine tourism with sponsored R&D (artists, scientists, creators) — a hybrid “work + wonder” tourism product.
Why it could happen: Private stations and data infrastructure in orbit will enable guests to support experiments remotely and monetize creative output from orbit (e.g., film shoots, AR concerts). Commercialization of the ISS and successor private stations makes multi-week or multi-month packages a viable offering. Axiom Space+1
Traveler tip: Pursue partnerships (academic, brand sponsorship) — sponsors offset costs and increase likelihood of acceptance onto residency programs.

5) Dramatic drop in per-seat costs for orbital travel — but not to “affordable” levels

Prediction: Economies of scale and reusable heavy-lift systems will reduce orbital ticket prices by 2035 — maybe by an order of magnitude relative to 2025 orbital seat costs — but orbital travel will still be accessible only to wealthy travelers and corporate-sponsored participants.
Why it could happen: Fully reusable heavy-lift rockets (e.g., Starship) promise a big reduction in launch cost per kilogram, potentially lowering transport costs to LEO if reliability is achieved at scale. However, life support, station operations, and training will keep prices high compared with mass-market travel. Historical pricing for private orbital seats (very high tens of millions) could fall but remain premium. Wikipedia+1

6) Insurance, medical screening and “space-safety” travel advisories become travel-industry staples

Prediction: Travel insurance for space tourism will become standard and regulated; medical screening and mandatory training courses will be common prerequisites — think “pre-flight residential training” added to tour packages.
Why it could happen: Regulators like the FAA already set training and licensing rules; as flights become regular, insurers and regulators will create industry standards for acceptable risk, coverage, and passenger preparedness. Governments may require specific medical clearances and operator-provided training. FAA+1
Practical tip: Keep clear records of vaccinations, cardiopulmonary tests, and any prior microgravity exposure. A documented fitness profile may reduce insurance premiums.

7) Spaceports everywhere — coastal and near urban hubs — integrate with luxury travel chains

Prediction: By 2035, dozens of licensed spaceports (or commercial spaceflight terminals) will exist worldwide, many integrated with luxury resorts, enabling multi-day pre- and post-flight hospitality that rivals exotic travel packages.
Why it could happen: To scale human flights you need multiple launch/reentry sites optimized for different vehicle types. Private operators and local governments will invest in spaceport infrastructure to capture the economic benefits of tourism. Expect bespoke hospitality experiences built around flight windows and safety briefings. Virgin Galactic

8) A new “space etiquette” and travel culture emerges (zero-G fashion, food, and social media rituals)

Prediction: Space tourism will spawn its own culture — zero-G fashion brands, space-friendly cuisine trends, and social rituals (first-hour floating selfies, “orbit check-ins”). Space-themed influencer coaching and content packages will be sold to customers.
Why it could happen: Novel experiences create subcultures. As small numbers of travelers do the same set of activities in orbit, vendors will package content and services to optimize social media virality and comfort. This is already visible with Earth-bound adventure tourism markets.
Entertainment tip: If you’re booking an early flight, arrange a content strategy with a micro-crew — the orbit livestream or “first view” content will be monetizable.

9) Climate and sustainability debates reshape public sentiment — “green space tourism” certifications become a selling point

Prediction: As commercial launches increase, public scrutiny of environmental impact (rocket emissions, upper-atmosphere effects) will rise. By 2035, “green space tour” certifications — optimized trajectories, offsetting strategies, and sustainable fuel research — will be a major differentiator.
Why it could happen: Aviation already faces sustainability pressure; rocket launches that increase significantly will attract media and policy attention. Companies and regulators will develop measurement frameworks and certifications to reassure customers and communities.
Policy note: Expect carbon and black-carbon research to influence the types of engines and propellants favored by customers and regulators. McKinsey & Company

10) New national players and geopolitics reshape who can fly where — “space visas” and bilateral operating agreements appear

Prediction: By 2035, geopolitics will influence space tourism routes. New national players may open domestic tourist programs, and cross-border operating agreements (or restrictions) will create “space visas” and licensing frameworks. Travel may be limited based on nationality and launch/reentry site.
Why it could happen: Space is an extension of geopolitics — national space programs and investments influence who has launch capability and regulatory control. Reports indicate countries like China will be major players, and cooperating or competing national policies will shape commercial access. International agreements (or their absence) will determine market openness. Live Science

How these predictions could unfold — timeline & likelihood

• 2025–2028 (near term): More routine suborbital flights; private orbital missions continue on a per-mission basis; regulators codify human-flight training. (High likelihood.) Virgin Galactic+1
• 2028–2032 (medium term): Private orbital modules, early orbital hotels, and residency programs; Starship/other heavy lift may enable more frequent cargo and human transport if reliability improves. (Moderate likelihood.) Wikipedia+1
• 2032–2035 (longer term): Scaling of orbital hospitality, some lunar flybys/landings for ultra-wealthy, subscription suborbital services, and industry maturation with insurance/regulatory norms. (Plausible but contingent on tech, funding, and geopolitics.) Live Science+1

Practical checklist: If you want to be an early space tourist (what to do now)

1. Health & fitness prep — baseline cardiopulmonary exam, vestibular training, and strength conditioning.
2. Financial planning — start a dedicated fund; look for sponsorship or brand partnerships to reduce out-of-pocket cost.
3. Training & certification — enroll in zero-G flights, centrifuge sessions, and simulator time to build tolerance.
4. Documentation — maintain an organized medical/equipment/training portfolio for operators and insurers.
5. Legal awareness — read operator waiver, liability clauses, and insurance options carefully.
6. Content plan — if you want to monetize your trip, partner with a content agency early to create IP rights and livestream plans.
7. Sustainability stance — ask operators about emissions and offset programs if that matters to you.

Tips & tricks to increase acceptance onto early flights

• Offer to collaborate on research or art projects (sponsors love this).
• Join waiting lists and pre-flight communities; early adopters with public profiles or scientific objectives often get callbacks.
• Document prior high-risk adventure travel experience — it helps operators assess fit.
• Build relationships with spaceport communities and training providers — networking matters.

Potential risks & ethical considerations

• Safety & reliability: early flights carry higher risk; fully reusable systems must prove reliability at scale. Wikipedia
• Economic inequality: space tourism will likely amplify wealth disparities in experiential access.
• Environmental impact: rocket emissions and launch infrastructure effects require mitigation. McKinsey & Company
• Geopolitical friction: national regulation and export controls may limit citizen access across borders. Live Science

---

Related links & resources (start here)

• FAA — Human Spaceflight (regulatory overview). FAA
• Axiom Space — private orbital station plans & news. Axiom Space
• Recent market forecasts for space tourism growth (examples). Future Market Insights+1
• Timeline of SpaceX Starship tests (publicly tracked). Wikipedia

FAQs — (Space Tourism Predictions)

Q1: When will space tourism be affordable for middle-income travelers?
A1: Unlikely by 2035. Even optimistic forecasts see major cost reductions, but orbital and lunar travel remain expensive due to life-support and training costs; suborbital could become relatively “affordable” for wealthy adventure travelers but not mass market. Future Market Insights+1

Q2: Who certifies the safety of space tourism flights?
A2: National regulators (e.g., FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation in the U.S.) license launches and set safety and training standards; international coordination is evolving. FAA+1

Q3: Will insurance cover medical issues from space tourism?
A3: Insurance products are emerging; however, early policies may carry high premiums and exclusions. Travelers should expect detailed medical screening requirements and operator waivers. FAA

Q4: Can I bring family members on orbital stays by 2035?
A4: Likely only in very limited cases (private bookings at high cost). Family visits may be possible through private station reservations but will remain expensive and operationally constrained. Axiom Space

Q5: Will there be hotels on the Moon by 2035?
A5: Full-scale lunar hotels are unlikely by 2035; however, short lunar flybys or demonstration landings for wealthy patrons are plausible. Building permanent hospitality infrastructure on the Moon is a multi-decade effort. Live Science

Q6: How can I reduce the environmental impact of my trip?
A6: Ask operators about fuel type, trajectory optimization, and offset programs. Support companies investing in alternative propellants and emissions research. McKinsey & Company

Conclusion — should you care about these space tourism predictions?

Yes. The space tourism predictions for 2035 are not just flights and thrills — they signal how commercial space will transform business, culture, and regulation. Expect subscription suborbital trips, branded orbital hotel rooms, hybrid research-tourism residencies, and geopolitical friction over access. The experience will be thrilling, exclusive, and expensive — and it will create new industries (space hospitality, space insurance, zero-G entertainment). If you’re serious about participating, start preparing now: health, funding, partnerships, and training will be the keys to opening the final frontier of travel.