Space balloon tourism looks set to take off

Space tourism is a potentially massive market and, whilst not without risk, can be accomplished safely. As more companies like Space Perspective enter this fledgling market with their own innovative spaceflight solutions, travellers will inevitably be offered more choice as the market segments on price, transportation method and the longevity and quality of the experience, according to GlobalData. 

It could be argued that at this time segmentation in the space travel market is based on the simple functionality of launching a traveller into space and returning them safely back to earth. From lift off to touch down, a flight in Blue Origin’s New Shepard lasts 11 minutes, while an expedition on Virgin Galactic lasts between two to three hours. By comparison, Space Perspective plans to offer space tourists a more relaxing and luxurious experience, with a flight into the stratosphere scheduled to last six hours from lift off to touchdown.

Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, commented: “With such vast sums of money currently being paid for a ticket, the companies that can offer the best balance of a luxury experience – which you would expect at these price tags – with more time onboard, while maintaining a sense of safety and wellbeing throughout the flight, will deliver a better sense of value for money and a richer experience gained which will be more appealing to customers.”