Travel to Space Right Here from Florida

Departure right here in Florida can take you to an out-of-this-world travel experience—literally! In this story, I researched how regular folks, like you and me, can make space travel a reality, but it's going to cost you. 

The dream of floating in zero gravity, seeing Earth from orbit, and venturing beyond our atmosphere is closer than ever before, thanks to pioneering companies offering commercial spaceflights. Here is what I have found:

How Much Does It Cost to Travel to Space?

For the average person, space tourism is a luxury reserved for those with deep pockets. The cost to fly into space can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the experience and altitude. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are leading the charge in commercial space travel, each offering different price points, levels of service, and unique space experiences as described below.

Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson, offers suborbital flights aboard its spaceplane, VSS Unity. The cost for a seat starts at $450,000. These flights take passengers to the edge of space, where they can experience a few minutes of weightlessness and stunning views of Earth. Flights typically launch from Spaceport America in New Mexico, but Florida’s spaceports are likely to play a role in future operations.

Image courtesy of Virgin Galactic

Image courtesy of Virgin Galactic/Handout via Reuters

Blue Origin

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin offers flights on its New Shepard rocket, which also provides suborbital experiences. While prices for the inaugural seats were auctioned for millions, the estimated standard cost is around $250,000 to $500,000. Passengers ascend to more than 100 kilometers above Earth, crossing the Kármán Line, and get about 10 minutes of weightlessness. Like Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin promises a smooth, comfortable ride with a large window for breathtaking views.

Images courtesy of Blue Origin

SpaceX

SpaceX, the most advanced of the three, offers orbital spaceflights, which go far beyond the edge of space. SpaceX’s private missions—such as the one aboard the Crew Dragon capsule—come with a price tag starting at around $55 million per passenger. These trips take participants to the International Space Station (ISS) or into higher orbits around Earth, offering days of space travel and even the possibility of a spacewalk. Elon Musk’s company is also working toward missions around the Moon and eventually Mars, aiming to make deep-space tourism a reality.

Images courtesy of SpaceX

Preparing for Your Space Adventure

Before you can hop on a space flight, there’s a lot to prepare for. Unlike a regular flight, space travel demands rigorous physical and mental training. Here’s what you can expect:

Medical Screening

All space tourists must pass a comprehensive medical evaluation to ensure they can withstand the intense physical demands of space travel, such as high G-forces during launch and re-entry.

Physical Training: Travelers undergo days or even weeks of physical training, which includes experiencing zero gravity in simulators or parabolic flights, learning to manage G-forces, and practicing emergency procedures.

Technical Training: Space tourists are also briefed on the spacecraft’s systems and safety protocols. For longer missions like SpaceX’s, participants will need to understand life support systems, navigation, and basic emergency measures.

 Life's Essentials in Space

If you're as curious as I am, you might wonder how these ultra-expensive space experiences handle the unique challenges of traveling beyond Earth—especially when it comes to everyday tasks like eating and using the bathroom. Here's what I discovered.

How Can You Use the Bathroom in Space?

In space, using the bathroom is quite different from on Earth due to the lack of gravity. Here’s how it's managed:

1. Liquid Waste

Funnel and Hose: Both male and female use a funnel attached to a hose. This system has a fan or suction to pull the urine into a storage container, preventing it from floating around.

2. Solid Waste (Feces):

• Space Toilet: For bowel movements, it's possible to use a toilet designed for microgravity. People in space have to strap themselves down using seat belts and foot restraints because there’s no gravity to keep them seated.

• Vacuum System: Instead of flushing with water, space toilets use airflow or vacuum systems to pull the waste into a container. This helps ensure nothing floats away.

• Waste Storage: The solid waste is sealed in individual bags, stored in a compartment, and eventually packed into cargo ships. These ships are sent back toward Earth and burn up in the atmosphere during re-entry, safely disposing of the waste.

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov (ROSCOSMOS). Photo courtesy NASA.

The Food Eaten in Space

1. Rehydrated or Freeze-Dried Foods:

• What It Is: These foods have the water removed to make them lightweight and shelf-stable. To eat them, you need to add water, which rehydrates the food. Examples include scrambled eggs, pasta, soups, and fruits.

• Rehydration Process: Water is added through a small valve on the food packet.

  
  

2. Thermostabilized Foods:

• What It Is: These are foods that have been heat-processed to kill bacteria and make them shelf-stable. They’re packaged in cans or pouches and don’t need refrigeration.

• Examples: Stews, curries, casseroles, and meat dishes like chicken or beef. These are heated in a small food warmer before consumption.

  
  

3. Packaged Snacks and Ready-to-Eat Foods:

• What It Is: Some foods, like nuts, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix, can be eaten as-is without preparation.

• Examples: Nuts, dried fruits, energy bars, and cereals are common space snacks.

Utensils and bags of food on tray. Photograph taken at Johnson Space Center's Food Tasting lab.

The Experience: What Do You Get for the Price?

The actual experience differs greatly between suborbital and orbital flights.  

Suborbital Flights (Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin): These are shorter trips, lasting a few hours from takeoff to landing. After a vertical launch, the rocket reaches the edge of space, where passengers experience weightlessness for about 3–10 minutes. Then, they descend back to Earth, landing safely in a controlled environment.  

Orbital Flights (SpaceX): These journeys can last several days, depending on the mission. Orbital space tourists experience extended periods of weightlessness, conduct experiments, and enjoy incredible views of the Earth from hundreds of miles above.

Image courtesy of SpaceX

The Future of Space Travel

As technology advances and more companies join the space tourism race, the cost of space travel could decrease over time, potentially making these trips accessible to more people. However, for now, space remains the ultimate luxury getaway, reserved for those who can afford the steep price tag and are willing to prepare rigorously for the journey.

Thais Lorena/ML Staff. Images credited in each featured space company.