Space tourist training isn’t exactly like what NASA astronauts do. Instead, it’s all about the basics—safety skills, not complex mission operations.
Commercial spaceflight companies offer different experiences, and that shapes how tough or long the training is. Most healthy adults can meet the eligibility requirements, so it’s not as exclusive as you might think.
Traditional astronaut training? That’s a two-year grind. Astronauts learn technical systems, scientific protocols, and all the nitty-gritty of mission operations.
NASA astronauts fix spacecraft, run experiments, and prep for months up on the International Space Station. It’s intense.
Space tourist training, though, gets straight to the point. Candidates pick up the essentials in a matter of weeks or months.
Private astronauts focus on safety routines, emergency drills, and just enough spacecraft know-how to get by. They practice handling launch forces, floating in zero gravity, and dealing with possible cabin emergencies.
Training times change depending on the company and mission. Virgin Galactic, for example, gives you a few days to get ready for a suborbital hop.
SpaceX, on the other hand, puts you through weeks of training if you’re heading for orbit, since those flights last longer and the systems are more involved.
Space tourists don’t need to fiddle with scientific gear or run experiments. Instead, they focus on staying safe and comfortable. Emergency procedures—like putting out fires, dealing with cabin pressure loss, or evacuating—take center stage.
Physical requirements? They’re pretty different too.
Professional astronauts jump through all sorts of medical hoops and keep themselves in top shape. Space tourists just need to be basically healthy and fit enough to handle launch forces and a bit of zero gravity.
Suborbital flights go up to about 62 miles—right to the edge of space. The whole trip lasts 10 to 15 minutes, with only 3 or 4 minutes of weightlessness. Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic run the show here, offering quick but unforgettable rides.
Training for these suborbital jaunts zeroes in on high-G forces during launch and reentry. Passengers run through emergency drills and learn how to move safely in microgravity.
The NASTAR Center near Philadelphia puts you in a centrifuge to mimic what you’ll feel in flight. It’s as close as you can get without leaving Earth.
Orbital flights last longer—days or even weeks. SpaceX has already flown private orbital missions, and more companies are catching up.
Orbital tourists get a deeper dive into spacecraft systems. They learn how to manage life support, deal with waste, and use communication tools. Longer weightlessness means you need extra physical conditioning and tricks for adapting.
Space station visits? That’s the big leagues for tourists. These trips run 8 to 12 days and include docking, station routines, and maybe even a few scientific activities. Training stretches over several months to cover all the complexity.
Age limits change from company to company, but most take folks between 18 and 75. Wally Funk went up at 82, so age isn’t the deal-breaker you might expect.
Medical checks matter more than your birth year. You’ll need decent cardiovascular health and no serious medical issues. High blood pressure, heart problems, or certain meds might keep you grounded. Pregnant people can’t fly—no one knows how space affects fetal development.
You don’t have to be an athlete, but you need to handle launch accelerations up to 3 or 4 Gs. Good mobility and coordination help you get around in the cabin.
The real hurdle is money. Suborbital flights with Virgin Galactic cost $450,000. Orbital trips? Those run into the millions. Don’t forget training, medical checks, and travel to the launch site—they all add up.
Companies also check your mental readiness. If you’re claustrophobic, prone to panic, or have severe anxiety, that could be a problem. They’ll teach you stress management and emergency responses to keep everyone safe.
You don’t need a science degree or a fancy background. Scientists, CEOs, and regular folks have all made the trip with the right training.
Space tourist training has come a long way. It started with basic safety talks and has grown into full-on programs that get civilians ready for the wild ride of spaceflight.
Advances in spacecraft, safety, and how commercial space works have really changed the game.
Dennis Tito, the first paying space tourist, blasted off in 2001 on a Russian Soyuz to the ISS. He trained for eight months at Star City near Moscow.
Tito tackled intense prep—getting familiar with spacecraft systems, drilling emergency procedures, and working on physical conditioning.
Space Adventures set up his flight and later civilian missions. They teamed up with Russian officials to create standard training protocols.
Early tourists basically followed the same astronaut training as professional cosmonauts.
Russian training centers became the go-to for wealthy civilians. People learned Soyuz basics and ISS routines, did centrifuge runs to simulate launch forces, and practiced spacewalks underwater.
Those early missions proved regular people—well, with a lot of money—could handle orbital spaceflight. Their success built the foundation for today’s space tourist training programs.
From 2001 to 2020, the industry hit some big training milestones. Virgin Galactic rolled out the first suborbital training program for civilians, running a three-day course at Spaceport America in New Mexico.
Blue Origin took a different approach with its New Shepard flights. Passengers prep for just a day before their suborbital adventure. The focus is on safety, getting to know the spacecraft, and how to handle weightlessness.
SpaceX shook things up for orbital flights with its Dragon spacecraft. They built custom simulators and managed to cut down training time compared to the old Soyuz days. Dragon passengers still train for months, but there’s more flexibility now.
Major Training Evolution Timeline:
Now, commercial space companies run training centers all over the U.S. Virgin Galactic uses Spaceport America, Blue Origin has its West Texas site, and SpaceX holds training at places like Kennedy Space Center.
How long you train depends on your mission. Virgin Galactic or Blue Origin suborbital trips need 1-3 days. SpaceX Dragon orbital missions take weeks or months. ISS visits? Prepare for 3-6 months of training.
Modern training puts safety first but doesn’t overload you with info. Companies use simulators, VR, and even special planes for zero-G practice. Medical screening is more standardized now too.
These days, dozens of civilians train for space every year. Back in 2001-2009, only seven tourists went up. The boom has made training cheaper, safer, and more enjoyable. Not bad, right?
Each big spaceflight company has its own training style. Some programs are multi-day marathons, others are quick and focused—depends on whether you’re going suborbital or orbital.
Virgin Galactic runs its training at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The chief astronaut instructor customizes the prep for SpaceShipTwo flights.
You’ll go through a three-day program that’s all about the air-launch system. SpaceShipTwo drops from a carrier plane at 50,000 feet before firing its rocket.
Key training highlights:
You’ll practice unbuckling and moving around in simulated zero gravity.
Virgin Galactic cares more about passenger comfort than technical skills. They want you to enjoy your microgravity time and keep safety second nature.
Blue Origin trains folks near its West Texas launch site for New Shepard flights. The program lasts two days and gets you ready for a fully automated ride.
You won’t pilot New Shepard—it’s all handled by the spacecraft itself.
Training covers:
You’ll hop in a centrifuge to feel what launch and re-entry are like. It’s a workout, but it helps you know what to expect during the 11-minute flight.
Blue Origin also makes sure you know how to get the best views—those windows are huge. They’ll show you how to position yourself for the ultimate Earth-gazing moment.
SpaceX teams up with Axiom Space for orbital mission training. These programs get you ready for multi-day stays on the ISS.
Training takes several months—there’s a lot to cover for orbital flights. You’ll get to know the Dragon spacecraft and learn station routines.
Extensive prep includes:
Axiom Space handles the astronaut curriculum, while SpaceX teaches you about Dragon. You’ll train at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and SpaceX’s California sites.
They show you how to use the toilet, sleep, and eat in zero gravity. You’ll need those skills for a multi-day trip.
You’ll also do water survival and emergency drills for launch and landing. The program covers all the tricky parts of orbital flight.
Space Adventures still sends people through the Russian space program for Soyuz flights. You’ll spend months training at Star City near Moscow.
The Russian approach follows a tweaked version of cosmonaut training. You’ll learn Soyuz operations and ISS routines.
Russian modules include:
Plan on about six months in Russia to get ready. It’s a long haul, but the Soyuz and ISS are complicated.
You’ll even serve as a backup crew member for operational missions. That way, you really get to know the systems before your own flight.
Space Adventures offers the most in-depth training out there for civilians. It’s pretty close to what professional astronauts go through, just with a little more flexibility.
Space tourists need to meet certain medical and fitness standards before launch. The requirements change depending on the spacecraft and how long you’ll be up there.
The Federal Aviation Administration sets medical certification standards. Space tourism companies add their own fitness checks to keep passengers safe during the physically demanding ride to space.
Space tourism hopefuls face thorough medical evaluations that go way beyond the usual physical. Doctors run cardiovascular stress tests, keep an eye on blood pressure, and check vestibular function to spot any issues that could crop up in zero gravity.
Medical screening components cover bone density scans, eye exams, and psychological evaluations. Candidates have to show they can handle sudden pressure changes and keep their mental sharpness under stress.
The whole evaluation process usually takes about 4-8 weeks. Sometimes, doctors keep tabs on certain conditions throughout the training.
Blood work looks for hidden health problems that spaceflight could make worse. Inner ear tests check balance and how well someone can orient themselves in space.
Medical clearance standards line up with those in aviation medicine. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees commercial spaceflight medical requirements.
If someone has specific heart conditions, gets severe motion sickness, or struggles with claustrophobia, they might not make the cut. Each space tourism company sets its own medical rules based on their spacecraft and flight plans.
Cardiovascular health really is the backbone of preparing for space travel. The heart and circulatory system put up with a lot during launch and the switch to weightlessness.
Training programs push cardiovascular endurance with regular aerobic exercise. Most candidates run, cycle, or swim to get their hearts stronger and boost oxygen delivery.
G-force tolerance training is a big part of getting ready. Centrifuge machines spin people around to mimic launch and re-entry forces, usually hitting 3-4 G’s.
Blood pressure has to stay steady under all that acceleration. Instructors teach breathing techniques to help keep circulation going during those high-G moments.
Resting heart rate and how fast someone recovers after exercise are important fitness clues. Space tourism companies set minimum standards based on age and medical background.
Training can last anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on how fit someone is to start. Candidates have to keep up their cardiovascular health the whole time.
Flexibility and mobility are key for safety and comfort in space. Spacecraft cabins are tight, and everyone has to move around in bulky gear.
Trainers check range of motion to see how flexible joints are and how well someone moves. Candidates need to reach safety gear and get into the right positions for launch and landing.
Mobility requirements also mean fitting into seats while wearing pressure suits. Space tourists practice getting in and out quickly, especially for emergencies.
Core strength training helps keep the spine in line during acceleration. Flexibility exercises target the neck, shoulders, and hips so everyone can fit into restraint systems.
Parabolic flights let candidates try out moving in microgravity. This helps cut down on motion sickness and builds confidence before the real deal.
Space tourists learn how to control their bodies with handholds and foot restraints. Good movement techniques help avoid injuries and keep the spacecraft steady.
Older candidates or those with mobility issues might need extra training. Fitness specialists work with them to tackle specific flexibility challenges before certification.
Space tourists have to get their bodies ready for the intense acceleration forces that hit during launch and reentry. Centrifuge training gives them a taste of these conditions, and specialized breathing techniques help them stay conscious during high g-force loads.
Centrifuge training sits at the heart of g-force preparation for commercial space travelers. These machines spin fast to create fake gravity, simulating what launch and reentry feel like.
Most space tourism outfits have people go through several centrifuge sessions before flying. Training starts with lower g-forces, maybe 3-4 Gs, then ramps up to match each spacecraft’s requirements.
Virgin Galactic gets passengers ready for up to 6 Gs. Blue Origin preps people for about 3 Gs on suborbital flights. Centrifuge runs last from 30 seconds to a few minutes, just like real flight segments.
Training Progression:
Participants wear the same flight suits they’ll use in space. It helps them get used to the gear while experiencing those heavy forces.
The human body needs special training to deal with the heavy g-forces of suborbital flight. Training builds up tolerance to both positive and negative acceleration.
Positive g-forces push blood down to the feet, which can mess with vision or even cause someone to black out. Negative g-forces do the opposite, sending blood toward the head and causing pressure.
Space tourists learn to spot the early warning signs—tunnel vision, graying out, or chest and head pressure.
Physical Adaptations Include:
Regular cardio workouts before training make it easier to adapt to g-forces. Swimming and cycling seem to work best for building stamina during high acceleration.
Most people can handle the g-forces of commercial suborbital flights if they prepare well. Training helps spot anyone who needs extra time to get ready.
Nailing the right breathing techniques is critical for staying conscious and comfortable during high g-force phases. Space tourists practice special breathing patterns to fight off the effects of acceleration.
The Anti-G Straining Maneuver (AGSM) is the main move instructors teach. It means tensing your legs and abs while controlling your breath to keep blood flowing to your brain.
Participants practice AGSM during centrifuge training until it feels automatic. The technique involves flexing muscles and breathing in cycles of 3-5 seconds.
AGSM Steps:
Space tourists also learn how to adjust their breathing as they switch to weightlessness. These methods help fend off motion sickness and confusion in zero gravity.
Instructors watch each person’s technique and give feedback. Most folks get the hang of it after just a couple of sessions.
Space tourists have to learn how to move and function in weightlessness, where old habits just don’t cut it. Training uses special aircraft flights, underwater setups, and targeted drills to help passengers adjust to the weirdness of microgravity.
Parabolic flight training offers the closest thing to real space for most space tourists. Specially modified planes climb steeply up to 32,000 feet, then dive in a big arc to give everyone about 20-30 seconds of genuine weightlessness.
People often call these flights “vomit comets”—motion sickness is common. During each arc, passengers float freely in a padded cabin.
Training Flight Structure:
Companies like Zero-G Corporation use Boeing 727s for civilian training. Passengers learn to push off gently, control spins, and find their bearings in microgravity.
The training shows how bodies react when gravity vanishes. Simple stuff like walking or turning suddenly gets tricky without handholds.
Weightlessness training covers the basics of moving around in space. Passengers practice floating in tight spaces and run through safety routines in zero gravity.
Training starts with basic floating positions and learning how to control movement. Instructors teach people to use their fingertips, not brute force, since big pushes can send you flying into walls.
Core Training Elements:
Passengers try eating and drinking in microgravity with special containers. They also learn how to keep objects from drifting into equipment or other people.
Medical training covers motion sickness and disorientation. Passengers learn to spot symptoms and use medication if needed.
Microgravity adaptation drills get space tourists ready for the weirdness of weightlessness. These exercises help people stay in control and feel comfortable during their flight.
Balance and Coordination Drills teach passengers to rely on what they see instead of their inner ear. They practice focusing on fixed points while floating in different positions.
Training includes grip strength for holding onto handholds and restraints. Passengers learn the best ways to grip and move safely through the spacecraft.
Core stability work helps people control spinning or tumbling. Exercises focus on using abs and back muscles to steady themselves.
Passengers also practice communication in microgravity. Training covers how voices and breathing can change when floating.
Emergency drills put people through real scenarios, like getting back to seats during attitude changes. Passengers learn to move fast but safely when shifting from floating to being strapped in.
Space tourists have to master three big safety areas during training: hands-on emergency response, life support system basics, and the essentials of spacecraft operations. These skills are the backbone of safe commercial spaceflight.
Training centers use advanced simulators to throw real emergency situations at space tourists. Participants practice handling cabin depressurization, onboard fires, and medical emergencies—all in zero gravity setups.
Simulations happen in mock-ups that look and feel like real spacecraft. Space tourists learn to get on emergency oxygen masks in seconds and run through evacuation steps. Fire drills teach them how to use special extinguishers designed for microgravity.
Medical emergency simulations show tourists how to help crew with basic first aid, adapted for weightlessness. They practice stabilizing injured passengers and communicating with ground medical teams.
Key Emergency Procedures:
Space tourism companies make sure everyone can handle each emergency before they get certified. This hands-on style builds muscle memory and helps people stay calm when it counts.
Space tourists get a crash course in the life support systems that keep the air breathable and conditions comfortable. These systems manage air quality, temperature, and waste on board.
Environmental controls keep oxygen at safe levels and pull out carbon dioxide with special filters. Tourists learn how to watch air quality indicators and spot warning signs if something goes wrong.
Temperature and humidity controls aren’t too complicated, but tourists do need to know how to adjust them. Training covers both manual and automatic systems that keep the cabin just right.
Critical Life Support Components:
Water recovery and waste management systems get their own attention too. Space tourists figure out how to use zero-gravity toilets and handle hygiene with special equipment and steps.
Commercial space tourists pick up fundamental spacecraft operation skills that focus on passenger safety and mission support. The training covers communication systems, navigation displays, and basic control interfaces that passengers might actually need to use.
Trainers show tourists how to use communication equipment so they can contact mission control or emergency services if needed. Participants go over radio protocols and get familiar with backup communication methods for different flight phases.
Navigation system lessons help passengers figure out where they are and how the flight is progressing. Instructors teach tourists to read displays showing altitude, velocity, and orbital position during the mission.
Essential Operation Skills:
Spacecraft controls training dives into systems that passengers can access, like lighting, window shutters, and personal environmental controls. Space tourists get hands-on practice with these controls, even while wearing those awkward spacesuits and floating in zero gravity.
Trainers really stress safety system activation during operations training. They walk passengers through activating emergency beacons, running backup power systems, and understanding the automated safety protocols that kick in during critical flight moments.
Space tourists need strong mental skills to handle the stress of space travel and the reality of being alone up there. Training programs teach ways to stay calm and build the mental strength you’ll need for such a wild experience.
Space travel brings a level of stress most people never deal with on Earth. Passengers get stuck in tight spaces with no easy exit and have to accept being far from home and family.
Training programs teach breathing exercises to manage panic. Deep breathing slows the heart rate when stress ramps up. Participants practice these techniques in small rooms that mimic spacecraft conditions.
Mindfulness training helps space tourists stay focused on the present. This way, their minds don’t spiral into scary “what if” territory. They learn to notice their feelings but not let fear take over.
Space tourism companies use isolation exercises during training. Participants spend time alone in quiet, dark rooms to get used to feeling cut off from normal life.
Mental visualization plays a big role in stress management. Trainees imagine calm, peaceful places and picture themselves handling problems smoothly.
Psychological resilience means bouncing back from tough situations, and space tourists definitely need that. Space travel pushes mental limits in ways nothing on Earth really can.
Training builds resilience with controlled challenges. Instructors throw simulated emergencies at participants and watch how they react. Tourists learn to keep a clear head and make good choices even when things go sideways.
Team-based exercises show passengers how to work together when stress peaks. Space tourists have to rely on each other and their crew. Training helps them communicate and support fellow passengers if someone gets scared or sick.
Programs include sessions on managing expectations. Space travel looks glamorous in movies, but the real thing includes discomfort and surprises. Passengers who know what’s coming usually handle the unexpected better.
Physical fitness supports mental strength too. A strong body helps the mind stay sharp under the physical stress of launch and zero gravity. Training mixes exercise with mental challenges to build both at once.
Instructors encourage participants to break big worries into smaller, manageable pieces. Instead of stressing about the whole flight, they focus on one phase at a time.
Space tourists have to build strong collaborative abilities and clear communication habits during training. These skills matter in the close quarters of a spacecraft, where a simple miscommunication can cause big trouble.
Training programs put space tourists through real-world team exercises that feel like actual spaceflight. These drills teach people to work together in small spaces while handling stress and surprises.
Emergency response simulations form the backbone of team training. Tourists practice cabin depressurization, fire suppression in zero gravity, and medical emergencies as a group. Instructors assign specific roles and backup responsibilities to each person.
Daily operations training covers routine stuff that still requires teamwork. Participants prepare meals, maintain equipment, and do scientific observations together. These exercises build trust and set up clear communication patterns.
Conflict resolution exercises help tourists handle personality clashes or disagreements. Training includes techniques for managing stress, voicing concerns respectfully, and keeping the group together in isolation.
Clear communication becomes absolutely essential when Earth-based support isn’t instantly available and crew members have to rely on each other. Space tourists learn specific ways to share information accurately and quickly.
Closed-loop communication protocols make sure messages get through. The speaker says their message, the listener repeats it back, and the speaker confirms it’s right. This simple loop prevents misunderstandings during high-stress moments.
Cross-cultural communication skills help diverse groups get along. Training covers cultural differences, body language cues, and ways to interact respectfully.
Technical vocabulary training gives everyone the same language for spacecraft operations and emergencies. Tourists memorize terms for equipment and safety procedures so nobody gets confused when it counts.
Space tourists need to know the basics of spacecraft operations and orbital principles to stay safe during commercial spaceflight. These technical building blocks prepare passengers for the realities of orbital travel and life inside a spacecraft.
Orbital mechanics, the rules that govern how spacecraft move, set the stage for every commercial spaceflight. Space tourists experience these physical laws during launch, orbit, and return.
Velocity and Altitude Relationships
Spacecraft need to hit certain speeds to get into and stay in orbit. Suborbital flights reach about 2,300 mph and climb above 50 miles. Orbital flights go much faster—around 17,500 mph—to circle Earth continuously.
Microgravity Effects
Once a spacecraft hits the right speed and altitude, everyone inside experiences weightlessness. The craft and its passengers fall toward Earth at the same rate, but move fast enough horizontally to keep missing the planet.
Launch Windows and Trajectories
Commercial space companies pick precise launch times using orbital mechanics. These launch windows help spacecraft reach the right altitude and path while saving fuel and time.
Modern spacecraft pack in complex systems that tourists interact with during flight. Knowing how these systems work helps passengers respond to normal operations and emergencies.
Life Support and Environmental Controls
Spacecraft keep air breathable with oxygen generators, carbon dioxide scrubbers, and temperature controls. Passengers learn to recognize normal system sounds and warning lights that signal changes.
Communication and Navigation Equipment
Space tourists use intercoms to talk with crew and mission control. GPS and inertial navigation systems track position and speed, giving real-time updates throughout the flight.
Safety and Emergency Systems
Every commercial spacecraft comes with backup life support, fire suppression, and emergency landing features. Passengers get trained on seat restraints, oxygen masks, and evacuation steps specific to their craft.
Space tourism training now goes beyond the basics, offering specialized programs for advanced experiences. These programs prep tourists for things like simulated spacewalks and stays at luxury orbital hotels.
Space tourists chasing the ultimate space adventure can now train for simulated spacewalks. These programs use underwater pools much like NASA’s Neutral Buoyancy Lab.
Participants spend hours in pressurized suits underwater, where the weightless feel mimics a real spacewalk. Instructors guide tourists through basic movements and tool handling.
Key Training Components:
The National Aerospace Training and Research Center offers private spacewalk simulation programs. Tourists practice entering and exiting airlocks in safe, controlled settings. These sessions help build confidence for possible future orbital experiences.
Safety protocols get major attention during spacewalk training. Instructors teach backup steps if primary systems fail. This helps tourists appreciate just how complex real spacewalks can be.
Luxury space hotel training programs prep tourists for longer stays in orbit. The focus shifts to daily living skills in zero gravity instead of just emergencies.
Guests learn special techniques for eating, sleeping, and hygiene in weightlessness. Training covers how to move through tight spaces without bumping into things.
Space hotel etiquette takes up a good chunk of the curriculum. Tourists practice sharing tight quarters with other guests and learn to keep personal belongings from floating away.
Entertainment and recreation training helps guests make the most of their space hotel stay. Programs teach photography tricks for snapping Earth views and cover how to use exercise gear built for microgravity.
Communication training ensures guests can reach out to family and friends back on Earth. Programs include video call tips and internet access basics. Luxury space hotel operators add personalized service training to match what you’d expect from a high-end hotel on the ground.
Training programs are changing fast with virtual reality simulations and artificial intelligence coaching systems. Costs keep dropping as programs become more streamlined and open to more people.
Virtual reality is shaking up how space tourists get ready. Companies now use advanced VR systems that simulate zero gravity and spacecraft operations—no need for expensive centrifuges.
Artificial intelligence coaching adapts training to each person’s learning style and physical ability. These smart systems track progress and tweak difficulty on the fly.
Remote training modules let people complete parts of their prep at home. That means less time at training centers and lower costs for everyone.
New simulation technologies include haptic feedback suits that mimic the feel of launch forces and weightlessness. These tools make training feel a lot more real.
Medical monitoring during training has gotten way more precise with wearable sensors. Trainers spot issues early and customize programs for each person’s health needs.
Training costs keep falling as companies create standard programs for suborbital flights. What used to take months now takes just a few days for basic space tourism.
Group training sessions lower costs by sharing expenses among participants. This makes the space travel dream possible for a lot more people.
Online modules cover the theory, while hands-on training focuses on the essentials. This hybrid approach cuts facility time by as much as 60%.
Companies are opening training centers in more U.S. locations, so people don’t have to travel across the country just to train.
Flexible scheduling options help working folks by offering weekend and evening programs. These changes open the door for more than just wealthy retirees.
Medical requirements are easing up as spacecraft designs improve. Automated safety systems take the load off space tourists during flight.
Space tourist training programs bring up a lot of questions about requirements, how long training takes, and safety. Most people just need basic medical clearance and fitness, and training usually lasts anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the flight.
If you want to join a space tourist training program, you’ll need to meet some specific age, health, and fitness standards. Most commercial spaceflight companies let people fly if they’re between 18 and 75 years old, though a few stretch that up to 80 if you pass extra medical checks.
You’ll need to climb several flights of stairs on your own. The seats in these spacecraft are snug, so you have to fit with the safety harnesses buckled tight.
Medical checks usually include heart screenings and blood pressure tests. Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic ask you to pass medical exams similar to what private pilots go through.
There’s a weight window, too—usually between 110 and 250 pounds, depending on the spacecraft. Height limits tend to fall between 5’0″ and 6’4″, mostly to make sure you fit the seat and all the safety gear works as it should.
The training duration for space tourists really depends on where you’re headed. Suborbital flights, like those with Virgin Galactic or Blue Origin, only need about 2 or 3 days at their training centers.
If you’re aiming for an orbital mission, you’ll need more time. SpaceX, for example, puts civilian crews through about six months of part-time training, focusing on spacecraft systems and what to do in emergencies.
Busy professionals can usually find flexible schedules, with weekend sessions or spread-out requirements. Most programs let you finish training over a few months, not all in one go.
If you want to visit the International Space Station, get ready for the most in-depth preparation. This kind of training can last anywhere from 6 to 12 months and often happens at NASA and partner agency facilities.
Flight surgeons or aerospace medicine specialists start with a thorough physical exam. They check your heart, vision, and nervous system to look for any red flags.
You’ll give blood and urine samples so they can spot health issues that might cause trouble in space. Stress tests show how your heart handles physical effort.
Centrifuge facilities let you experience the G-forces of launch and reentry, which can get up to 3 or 4 times Earth’s gravity, even if just for a few moments.
Trainers test your balance and how you handle motion, since some people get sick pretty easily. Some programs add underwater sessions to mimic weightlessness and see if you can handle weird environments.
Psychological screenings try to figure out if you’ll stay calm in tight spaces or under pressure. They’re looking for folks who won’t panic or get claustrophobic during the flight.
Right now, commercial space tourism companies don’t let minors fly. SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic all set the minimum age at 18.
A few companies are toying with the idea of family flights, but they haven’t set any official rules for kids yet. Worries about safety and legal issues keep children out of commercial space travel for now.
If you’re looking for something for kids, space camps and astronaut training experiences welcome children as young as nine. Places like the Kennedy Space Center offer hands-on simulations, but these don’t involve actual spaceflight.
Maybe in the future, companies will launch family missions with special safety plans. Some are already looking into training programs for teenagers, but nothing’s official yet.
Spacecraft simulators let you get familiar with the exact controls and layouts you’ll use during your flight. You get to run through emergencies and practice normal operations in these mockups.
To experience weightlessness, you’ll fly in a modified airplane that creates zero-gravity for 20 to 30 seconds at a time. They usually repeat this a bunch of times so you can get used to the feeling.
Centrifuge training helps you handle the G-forces you’ll face during launch and landing. These machines even match the acceleration profiles of the real spacecraft.
Emergency egress drills teach you how to get out of the spacecraft fast after landing. You’ll practice with gear like oxygen masks and radios.
Altitude chamber sessions expose you to lower air pressure, like what you’ll find in a spacecraft cabin. These exercises help spot people sensitive to pressure changes and teach you how to breathe right under those conditions.
Blue Origin runs training at their West Texas facility, right next to their launch site. They’ve set up spacecraft simulators, fitness areas, and briefing rooms just for space tourists.
Virgin Galactic handles their programs at Spaceport America in New Mexico. You’ll find full-scale SpaceShipTwo mockups there, along with gear for prepping folks for suborbital flights.
SpaceX uses a few different spots, like their Hawthorne headquarters in California and Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The training site really just depends on the mission and which spacecraft they’re using.
Some independent places also offer astronaut training experiences. For example, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex lets civilians try NASA-style training gear and simulations.
Other countries, especially Russia, have their own specialized training centers. These places can do things like underwater spacewalk training or keep people in isolation for longer missions.
