In a bold move toward commercial space tourism, Chinese company Deep Blue Aerospace has unveiled plans to begin ticket sales for a suborbital spaceflight scheduled for 2027. Priced at 1.5 million yuan (approximately $211,000), these tickets will provide passengers with a thrilling five minutes of weightlessness during their journey.
Official render from Deep Blue Aerospace.showcasing their suborbital tourism systems Credit: Deep Blue Aerospace
The ticket sales will kick off on Thursday at 6:00 PM local time (10:00 GMT) through a livestream shopping event hosted by the company's founder, Huo Liang, as announced via their WeChat account earlier this week. Interested customers will need to place a 50,000 yuan deposit to secure a seat on this exclusive flight.
This initiative positions Deep Blue Aerospace as a leader in China's burgeoning commercial space sector, an industry that the Chinese government is keen to develop to compete with established players like Elon Musk's SpaceX. State media highlighted China's commitment to advancing its space capabilities, noting 26 commercial launches in 2023 alone, including the historic launch of the world’s first methane-fueled rocket, LandSpace's Zhuque-2.
Expansion of China's Space Industry
Deep Blue Aerospace’s foray into space tourism reflects a broader trend within China's commercial space industry, which is experiencing a surge of new entrants. For example, CAS Space has announced plans to initiate its own space tourism flights by 2028. This growing interest aligns with Beijing’s ambitious goals for its official space program, including a crewed lunar mission by 2030 and the eventual establishment of a lunar base.
The 2027 mission will last approximately 12 minutes and is classified as a suborbital flight, meaning it will ascend into space but not achieve orbital velocity. Deep Blue Aerospace is also focused on developing reusable rocket technology, which aims to significantly lower the costs associated with space travel, a critical factor for the sustainability of future space tourism endeavors.
China's Space Aspirations
China's space industry has experienced remarkable growth, marked by numerous successful commercial launches and significant advancements in technology. Competition is intensifying among various companies aiming to enter the space tourism market, with Deep Blue Aerospace leading the charge. This development highlights China’s determination to enhance its space capabilities and potentially surpass its international counterparts.
In summary, Deep Blue Aerospace’s announcement to sell tickets for a 2027 spaceflight signifies a pivotal moment in China’s space tourism landscape. This initiative not only showcases the technological progress within the country’s space industry but also opens the door for the general public to experience the marvels of space travel.
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