How much does it cost to travel to space and how can you do it? – The Mirror

Space travel is no longer the dream of a few well-trained astronauts, but even if you did manage to bag yourself a spot on a spacecraft it could set you back 300,000

Image: Inspiration4/AFP via Getty Image)

Since Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space in 1961, space travel has captured the imagination of so many from across the globe.

Technology has advanced far beyond the point of the creaking silver shell of Vostok 1, Gagarin's trusted but flawed space capsule.

Space travel also relied upon highly trained astronauts, who typically had a background in various fields of science or were experienced air force pilots. First person on the moon Neil Armstrong was originally a test pilot, for instance.

Now we have the means and ways of travelling up into orbit and returning safely to earth and it is no longer a dream that is completely out of reach.

On September 18 Elon Musk's SpaceX company returned safely to Earth. Those aboard the Inspiration4 mission became the first crew to become astronauts in a non-professional capacity. But how can you do it?

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We are still perhaps a little way off a Ryanair flight to the moon - it would be hard even for Michael O'Leary to charge extra for heavy luggage in the weightless void of space - but the basics of regular space travel now seem doable.

You will need a sizeable chunk of spare cash, however. A place aboard Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic programme will currently set you back a cool 330,000 at least. So, unless you're willing to sell your house, it is unlikely for most of us just yet.

It currently only takes a limited number of passengers too and a there is flight time of just under two hours.

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When air travel first became popular, it was generally only available to those in the upper echelons of wealth and prosperity. Soon after, though, entrepreneurs came in and drove costs down.

The same will likely happen for space travel, but by how much and when is still unclear.

Space hotels are planned for the future as well. The SpaceX flight differed from Virgin Galactic and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin by sending crew members to space for three days, rather than a few minutes and is a step in the right direction in that regard.

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SpaceX are also planning a mission to the moon in 2023, but onboard are billionaire investors.

A company called Space Perspective is aiming to undercut the billionaire club of Bezos, Musk and Branson by using a pressurised capsule hoisted by several balloons.

Over 450 seats are already reserved and spaceflights are sold out for 2024. But if you have around 90,000 and a few days off in 2025, then you can enquire here.

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How much does it cost to travel to space and how can you do it? - The Mirror