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how much does it cost to go to space ?

### The Price Tag of Reaching the Stars: How Much Does It Cost to Go to Space?

The allure of space travel has captivated dreamers and explorers for decades. The modern era of commercial space travel has brought this dream within reach of the wealthy and adventurous—though it’s worth noting, it’s a reach that demands a hefty budget. How much exactly is the price to break the Earth’s gravitational pull and touch the heavens? Let’s dive into the stunning figures.

#### The Costs of Suborbital Flights

Venturing into space is no easy feat, and it’s certainly not cheap. As of recent data, one of the frontrunners in commercial space tourism is Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson. For a suborbital flight, a trip with Virgin Galactic will cost you about $250,000 per person. Notably, these flights don’t actually reach orbit; rather, they ascend to the edge of space, providing a few minutes of weightlessness and a breathtaking view of the Earth wrapped in a thin, blue line.

A similar experience can be explored with Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos. Blue Origin’s first auction for a seat on the New Shepard spacecraft reached an impressive $28 million, signaling the bidding premium buyers may be willing to pay. According to reports, Blue Origin has already collected around $100 million in revenues from space ticket sales.

#### The Cost of Heading to Orbits

But what if you’re not content with just the edge of space and dream of orbiting our planet like the fortunate astronauts of yore? The prices soar here, reflecting the higher technical demands. NASA’s partnership with commercial providers offers a space-station stay as high as $60 million for a round-trip ticket, plus additional nightly rates.

Going by NASA’s terms as set in 2019, tourists can visit the International Space Station for $35,000 per night, with stays of up to 30 days. Not bad for a room with a view of galactic proportions. The total cost for such an extravagant trip can add up to a staggering $60 million and above, considering the transportation costs and the daily stay fee.

#### The SpaceX Impact on Cost

An interesting narrative to this space travel saga comes from SpaceX, which has been leading a revolution in lowering launch costs. According to visual data presented on the Visual Capitalist, SpaceX has made significant strides in reducing the costs of space travel, achieving a launch that is nearly 97% cheaper than the cost of a Russian Soyuz ride to the ISS back in the ’60s. This brings the dream of space a little bit closer for those not in the billionaire club, though it is not yet a budget get-away.

#### Conclusion

So how much does it now cost to go to space? The answer is as variable as the stars in the sky, with prices ranging from $250,000 to $60 million. For the general public, space travel remains an exclusive luxury, but as the commercial space race heats up and competition encourages innovation, these costs may, indeed, start to come down.

But even in its current state, it’s a cost that’s willing to be paid by those with the financial means, driven by a hope that one day, the ticket to the stars can be accessible to everyone. After all, reaching for the stars is an enterprise that has always required generous visions and aspirations, and perhaps, just as generously funded tickets.

Join the journey as the future unfolds, or keep your dreams alive at least in imagination, without breaking the bank. For now, the sky—literally the space above it—is the limit.