A US-based space expedition company called SpaceVIP will be launching its services in India next month, allowing high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) in the country to travel to space. SpaceVIP, headquartered in New York, offers a range of cutting-edge space and space-adjacent experiences, including space balloons and zero-gravity flights. It is the only company that can take its clients to the International Space Station (ISS) and specializes in extraordinary experiences, travel, and events.
According to Times of India, this is the only company to offer such experiences, and visitors can also opt for a spacewalk or choose to travel around the moon.
Additionally, SpaceVIP’s non-profit organisation, Space Prize, is dedicated to championing women in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and strengthening gender equality within space economy. The company also has a robust Space Education Curriculum that they plan to bring to India. This focuses on equipping students with the knowledge necessary to understand the ever-expanding space economy and humanity’s imminent multi-planetary future.
With its lavish accommodations, gourmet dining, and unparalleled views of Earth and the universe, it is an experience that transcends the boundaries of conventional travel. However, it may remain a privilege reserved for the elite. The prospects for space travel tourism in India are promising.
The company has been closely following India’s recent advances in space education and space exploration, including the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar south pole and the recent launch of Aditya-L1 towards the Sun’s outermost layers, a company official told TOI.
The Indian government, too, has been planning to let private enterprises carry out end-to-end activities in space travel.
According to a report by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Indian space industry is expected to reach $50 billion by 2025, driven by the demand for satellite-based services such as telecommunication, navigation and earth observation.
