In Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, we follow former NASA pilot, Cooper, portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, as he embarks on a daring journey through a wormhole and across the galaxy. His mission? To determine which of three potential planets could serve as humanity’s new home. Drawing inspiration from sci-fi masterpieces like Solaris and 2001: A Space Odyssey, the film turns what once seemed like a distant fantasy into a compelling reality – on screens, anyway.
Movies aside, space travel is actually becoming increasingly accessible, not just for the ultra-wealthy or seasoned astronauts with decades of training. In August, Intriq Journey – a travel agency founded in 2020 that has quickly set the benchmark for bespoke luxury travel experiences in Asia – announced its partnership with Virgin Galactic to offer a truly unique adventure.
This experience includes a three-day training programme, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the exhilarating sensation of zero gravity as they float in a spacious cabin 300,000 feet above the Earth. We spoke with representatives from Virgin Galactic and Intriq Journey to discuss what this means for Asian travellers and the future of space exploration.
The Growing Demand
Though still in its early stages, the demand for space tourism is surging, projected to grow at an annual rate of 40.2% from 2023 to 2030, according to a report by Evona. The global market was valued at US$695.1 million in 2022 and is set to reach $US8.67 billion by 2030, adds the source. Interest in space travel isn’t confined to the wealthy; 38% of luxury travellers express a desire to take a space flight for leisure, and this figure rises to 58% among those aged 16 to 34, per the same report.
Opening Doors
As Virgin Galactic ushers in the era of commercial space travel, the possibilities are limitless, transcending age and geography. “The youngest member of our Future Astronaut community is just 7 years old,” said James Willoughby, Vice President and General Manager of Customer Relations at Virgin Galactic. “The oldest is 86, and our customers come from around 60 countries.”
With plans to expand its fleet of new Delta Class spaceships, Virgin Galactic envisions becoming a spaceline offering daily flights, starting with operations at Spaceport America. “We foresee spaceports around the world, including Asia, flying our community members as they evolve their own legacy, transforming humanity’s view of not just space but of our planet,” explained Willoughby.
Things are moving fast.
As the world’s first commercial spaceline, Virgin Galactic, founded by Sir Richard Branson, has been at the forefront of human spaceflight for private individuals, researchers, and professional astronauts since its inception in 2004. The company achieved a major milestone in 2018 when its VSS Unity spacecraft successfully reached space for the first time, launching from Mojave Air and Space Port.
In January of this year, Virgin Galactic completed its sixth commercial spaceflight, marking its fourth journey with private passengers and the first to carry four private travellers on a single flight.
Accessibility and safety are paramount. “We’re proud of the face that our innovative flight system means you don’t need to be an athlete to experience space travel – which allows us to broaden access to space to people of varying ages and abilities,” shared Willoughby. “We have already flown a customer with Parkinson’s disease for example. ‘Safety Above All’ is our first and highest mission. It is at the core of all our endeavours.”
Alongside spaceships designed by leading engineers, Virgin Galactic’s spaceflight system stands out as the only pilot-operated space travel experience available worldwide. “Our pilots are always responsible for the safety of everyone on board,” explained Willoughby. “And with the comfort of knowing that, customers are able to focus on their experience; their purpose for travelling to space, their expectations and focus on opening their minds to the most transformative sight on or off the planet – seeing the earth, fragile and without boarders, rotating in the blackness of space. Humanity’s only home.”
With its mission of “Space for All”, Virgin Galactic aims to enable as many people as possible, regardless of background or abilities, to experience the wonders of space. “Although ‘skills’ are not important, training, however, is key to having the right mindset by flight time,” Colin Bennett, an astronaut instructor at Virgin Galactic, shared. “Our training programme is extensive. I want our customers to be so familiar with every aspect of the flight profile that they feel relaxed, present and ready to savour every second of this incredible experience that they’re about to embark on.”
The training programme is indeed rigorous. Over three days, travellers are shuttled from their accommodations in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Spaceport America, where they meet the Virgin Galactic team and enjoy a welcome tour. An astronaut instructor provides an overview of the spaceship, training facilities, and flight schedule. On the second day, participants experience G Awareness Flights with a spaceship pilot, acclimating to high and low G forces to understand the sensations of launch, space, and re-entry. They’ll also take part in their first Cabin Rehearsal, practising boarding, strapping in, and moving around the cabin, as well as microgravity etiquette. The third day, designated for rehearsals, includes a complete run-through of Flight Day, covering suiting up, transportation to the runway, a full flight rehearsal with the pilots, and post-flight procedures. Then, it’s finally flight day.
“We do practice simulations for every phase of flight in our life-size cabin replica, we have ground school classes to help them understand the flight profile and how to use their equipment, and they take a flight with our pilots in our training aircraft to get familiar with the feeling of high and low G on the body,” explained Bennett. “We also create space for customers to bond with their fellow cremates. Building confidence as a group is one of the most important factors.”
Building relationships with the community is a vital aspect of the process. “We host gatherings and events around the world where they share their common bond of reaching for space,” said Willoughby. “By the time their date to go to space draws near, they already know and understand our space flight system.”
From the moment customers sign up, they embark on a psychological journey of preparation. They delve into their personal motivations for travelling to space, contemplate their expectations, and cultivate an openness to unexpected experiences.
As for the actual experience, Bennett said it was a truly eye opening experience. “It was everything I hoped for and much, much more,” he said. “One of my favourite parts was the feeling of acceleration when the rocket motor ignited. It was smooth but really exhilarating. Then, once we got into space, the weightlessness and the views of Earth were incredible and breathtaking.”
No amount of preparation can truly ready customers for the experience of witnessing space firsthand – looking down to see the vibrant colours contrasting against the vast blackness of the universe.
“There is a cognitive shift known as the overview effect. It’s a term coined by author Frank White. It’s the instant realisation that our lives are interwoven and we’re all in this together,” he added.
Everyone’s experience is of course slightly different. “There are so many amazing sensory events happening all at once and, for each individual, some will resonate in a more prominent way than others,” said Bennett. “For me, it was the acceleration of the rocket motor followed quickly by the feeling that I was seeing the day and night at the same time. I always love hearing our customers talking about their journey in their own words when they return from space.”
Exciting New Beginnings
Although the market for space travel is still a relatively exclusive and emerging segment, Virgin Galactic estimates that there are already 300,000 potential customers worldwide, with expectations for growth of 8 percent per year.
“This accounts not just for net worth but for a propensity to prioritise experiential travel, even a stated interest in space travel and personal development. It is a substantial market.” said Willoughby. Demand is expected to far outstrip supply even as Virgin Galactic scales significantly.
In addition to Virgin Galactic, companies like Space Perspective and SpaceX are offering orbital experiences. China is also making significant advancements in space exploration, aiming to become the global leader in space science by 2050, according to ABC News.
According to Chang Theng Hwee, Director of Intriq Journey, Virgin Galactic currently occupies the ideal position in terms of balancing experience and pricing. “We aim to stay updated on developments in the industry, and like with all our luxury adventures, we prioritise leadership through personal experience, in-depth knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and, most importantly, a deep understanding of our guests,” Chang said. “I believe the option for space travel is already more accessibly than Antarctic travel was three decades ago. It’s all about understanding or guests and our offerings – when you get that right, you can deliver the best experience.”
As one of the most thrilling luxury adventures of the decade, it is likely to gain significant hype. “Many believe that space tourism primarily caters to the whims of the wealthy elite. However, I think it plays a significant role in the long-term public good. Without those privileged few venturing into the skies 80 years ago, we might not have seen the rise of budget carriers that now transport young working-class individuals in droves to affordable weekend getaways,” added Chang. But it’s still too early to say. “Everything is at its infancy now which is what makes it exciting,” said Lim Kok Yong, Director of Intrigue Journey. “Currently, and for the foreseeable future, space tourism will mainly be accessible to a privileged few. However, I believe technological advancements will be the key factor in determining how quickly this becomes more widely adopted. Once that occurs, the possibilities will be truly exciting.”
Virgin Galactic has a vision of its own in the coming years thanks to its recent milestones. “We launched six human space flights in six months last year,” said Bennett. “That’s never been done before in the history of the planet, not even by NASA during the Space Shuttle programme.”
They have also carried out several flights with scientific payloads onboard, demonstrating their commitment to both scientific advancement and opening opportunities for the international research community. “We’re at the point now where we’re opening the door for many more people to step through and experience space for themselves, and I’m confident that it will have a collective positive impact on our connection with earth and with each other,” said Bennett.
With the introduction of our Delta spaceships, Virgin Galactic continues to expand, offering 50% more seating and enabling eight times as many flights per month compared to what was possible with VSS Unity. “That just with its first two Delta spaceships and a single mothership alone, we will, in one year, be able to take more people to space than have currently been to space, ever!” expressed Bennett. “We expect to create more astronauts in one year than NASA and every space agency in the world combined were able to fly in 63 years! And I get to be one of the instructors to make that happen,” he enthused.
BurdaLuxury’s Lens
The future of space travel is poised for transformation, with companies like Virgin Galactic leading the way. Currently, a ticket for their experience costs around US$600,000 per person, reflecting the exclusivity of early offerings. However, as technology advances and safety improves, there is potential for broader accessibility and more diverse options. While still in its early stages, the growth of space tourism may contribute to significant advancements in science and global consciousness, hinting at a new chapter in human exploration.
