Civilian astronaut programs make it possible for regular people—folks without military or professional astronaut backgrounds—to experience space travel. These programs range from Space for Humanity’s Citizen Astronaut Program to NASA’s more inclusive selection process that now welcomes civilians as well as military candidates.
A civilian astronaut program gives non-professional astronauts a shot at space missions, usually through commercial companies or special training tracks. NASA calls civilian astronauts those who fly in space while working as civilian members of space organizations, not as military staff.
Space for Humanity stands out with its Citizen Astronaut Program (CAP). They prep future space travelers for life-changing spaceflight, and after the flight, CAP graduates spend a year working on leadership and community projects.
These programs aren’t just about space tourism—they want to open space access to a much wider group. Participants usually agree to use their experience to help others, whether through education, research, or outreach.
NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Program also lets civilians apply. You don’t need military experience, though active duty folks still apply through USAJOBS just like civilians. That puts everyone on a level playing field.
Civilian involvement in space travel has changed a lot since NASA’s early days. Back in 1959, the first U.S. astronauts were all military pilots, chosen for their service records and strict qualifications.
Things look different now. Private astronaut missions started shifting the picture. SpaceX, for example, sent the first all-civilian crew on Inspiration4—not a single military background required.
The Polaris Program pushes things even further. This series of commercial missions puts civilians in roles that used to be off-limits.
Space tourism companies now give civilians several options. You can take a short suborbital flight or, if you’re lucky, spend a longer stretch in orbit.
Professional astronauts spend years training, learning every system inside and out. Most have advanced degrees in engineering or science, or they’re military pilots with tons of flight hours.
Civilian astronaut training is a lot more focused. It covers essential safety and emergency procedures, and it lasts weeks or months instead of years. You’ll learn how to stay safe, what to do in an emergency, and get familiar with the basics of the spacecraft.
Training Comparison:
Professional astronauts take the controls, run experiments, and fix stuff in orbit. Civilian astronauts mostly learn how to be safe passengers, respond to emergencies, and help out as needed.
Education requirements are pretty different, too. Professional astronaut hopefuls need at least a master’s degree, which takes a good chunk of time. Civilian programs often accept folks with bachelor’s degrees or relevant experience.
Mission roles also differ a lot. Professionals pilot the spacecraft, handle life support, and lead research. Civilians usually join as passengers or mission specialists with more limited tasks.
Civilian astronaut hopefuls need to meet some tough academic, medical, and citizenship standards to qualify for NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Program. These rules make sure candidates have the technical know-how, physical strength, and legal status for space missions.
NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Program asks for a master’s degree in a STEM field. That means engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or math from an accredited school.
Professional experience can count, too. Applicants need three years of related professional experience or 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command. If you’re applying as a pilot, 850 of those hours should be in high-performance jets.
The program doesn’t play favorites with academic backgrounds. Past astronaut classes have included engineers, doctors, geologists, and computer scientists.
Military flight experience helps, but it’s not required. Civilian pilots can build up flight hours through private aviation, though jet experience often comes from the military.
NASA keeps its medical standards strict. Candidates must pass a full medical evaluation to show they can handle normal and emergency situations in space.
Vision requirements have shifted. Now, candidates who’ve had PRK or LASIK eye surgery can apply if it’s been at least a year since surgery and there are no issues.
The medical screening checks for anything that could cause trouble in space. NASA doctors decide if you’re free from health problems that could threaten mission safety.
Physical fitness standards make sure you can handle launch forces, adapt to zero gravity, and do spacewalks if needed. The tests include heart checks, bone scans, and psychological evaluations.
You must be a U.S. citizen to apply to NASA’s civilian astronaut program. Dual citizens can apply, but NASA doesn’t want you switching citizenship just for eligibility.
International partnerships open other doors for non-U.S. citizens. Countries like Canada, Japan, Russia, Brazil, and ESA members pick their own astronauts.
There’s no age limit for NASA’s program. Past candidates have ranged from 26 to 46, with most around 34.
Security clearance might be needed, depending on the mission. Candidates go through background checks to make sure they meet national security standards.
NASA opens civilian astronaut applications during certain recruitment windows. In 2024, over 8,000 people threw their hats in the ring. The Astronaut Selection Office at Johnson Space Center runs the show from start to finish.
NASA posts astronaut jobs every few years, depending on what missions are coming up. The last application window was March 5 to April 16, 2024.
All applicants need U.S. citizenship. Civilians and military both apply, but civilians have to meet the same tough standards.
Basic Requirements:
You’ll submit your application through USAJobs.gov. NASA uses some assessment tools to spot people who might be a good fit for Artemis missions or space station roles.
You can’t send in extras like recommendation letters or diplomas unless NASA asks. If your contact info changes, let the selection office know.
After the deadline, the Astronaut Selection Office reviews applications right away. They weed out anyone who doesn’t meet the basics.
Qualified folks move on to background checks and medical exams. Psychological tests help NASA figure out if you can handle long missions in tight quarters.
Those who make the cut get invited to Johnson Space Center for a few rounds of interviews. Panels test your technical skills, problem-solving, and teamwork—stuff you’ll need in space.
The whole process usually takes 12 to 18 months after applications close. NASA looks at how each candidate might help with current space station work and future moon missions.
NASA plans to pick 12 to 16 astronaut candidates out of thousands of applicants. The final number depends on what the agency needs and how many training spots are open.
If you get picked, you’ll get an official notice and need to move to Houston for training. You’ll have to leave your current job or work out a long leave.
New astronaut candidates start two years of intense training before they’re eligible for flight. Training covers spacewalks, spacecraft systems, and mission-specific skills.
Getting selected as a candidate isn’t a ticket to space just yet. You’ve got to finish the full training program and stay mission-ready to get an actual flight assignment.
Three main paths exist for American civilians who want to become astronauts. NASA’s classic program is still the toughest to get into, but organizations like Space for Humanity open doors through citizen astronaut programs, and private companies keep adding new options for crew and space tourism jobs.
NASA lets civilians apply if they meet the strict education and health standards. You’ll need a bachelor’s in engineering, science, or math from an accredited school.
In 2024, NASA received over 8,000 applications. Only 12 to 16 will get picked for astronaut training.
Educational Requirements:
If you make it, you’ll spend about two years in training. You’ll cover spacecraft systems, spacewalks, robotics, and lots of mission-specific stuff.
Since 1959, NASA has picked 360 astronaut candidates. Recent classes include doctors, physicists, engineers, and even Olympic athletes.
Civilian astronaut salaries follow federal pay scales, from GS-11 to GS-14, based on your credentials and experience.
Space for Humanity runs citizen astronaut programs that open space to more people. They offer training and support for civilians who want to fly.
Their programs have different levels. Citizen Astronauts take suborbital flights, while CAP Graduates finish a full astronaut prep course.
They also have CA Ambassadors. These folks help spread the word about space access and share their stories with the public.
Space for Humanity really tries to break down barriers. They want to see people from all backgrounds, not just military pilots or PhDs, get a chance.
Their selection process is less about technical skills and more about diversity and community impact.
SpaceX hires civilians for its commercial crew missions. They train private astronauts for trips to the International Space Station.
Other spaceflight companies offer jobs for civilians, too. You could work as a mission specialist, payload operator, or even a space tourism guide.
Private missions let civilians buy seats and go through astronaut training for a shot at space.
Key Private Opportunities:
Training for these jobs varies. Some companies want months of prep, while others do short courses for quick flights.
The commercial space world keeps growing. New companies are always popping up with astronaut training and tourism programs.
Most commercial astronaut training programs stick to the basics—safety skills and prepping for space—instead of the long, technical training pro astronauts go through. Civilian programs usually pack spaceflight essentials, emergency drills, and physical conditioning into shorter, more manageable courses.
Civilian astronaut training really depends on the type and length of the mission. If you’re headed on a suborbital flight with Blue Origin, you’ll only need about two days of prep. That time covers basic safety, G-force training, and what to do in an emergency.
Orbital missions take a lot more out of you. SpaceX civilian crews often spend several months training before liftoff. As the mission gets more complex—or longer—the training ramps up too.
Sierra Space splits its training into three tracks. Career astronauts go through the most intense prep for long-term station work. Specialist astronauts focus on their job-specific skills. Meanwhile, experiential astronauts get a lighter, tourism-focused crash course.
Training happens at commercial facilities and NASA centers. These programs borrow from military and government astronaut training but tweak things for civilians. Instead of obsessing over every technical detail, the focus shifts to safety and survival basics.
Civilian astronauts get their hands dirty in simulators to learn how to operate spacecraft. Launch and re-entry procedures sit at the heart of the training. Trainees run through emergency scenarios like cabin depressurization, fires, and aborts.
Microgravity adaptation training helps folks figure out how to move, eat, and handle hygiene in zero gravity. Parabolic flights give them a taste of real weightlessness before they ever leave the ground.
Communication training matters a lot. Civilians pick up radio lingo, mission terms, and learn how to work with ground control. Spacesuit operation isn’t just about putting it on—they learn life support and how to move in those bulky suits.
Most commercial programs keep things practical. Trainees use real flight hardware when they can. Simulations focus on emergencies, not just the everyday stuff.
Physical fitness requirements for civilians aren’t as tough as for pros, but you still have to be in decent shape. They screen for heart health, blood pressure, and overall fitness before you’re cleared.
Emergency medical training teaches civilians basic first aid for space. They learn to use onboard medical gear and how to handle crew medical problems. Spotting space adaptation syndrome is part of the drill too.
Psychological prep gets into the mental side of space travel. Trainees work on handling claustrophobia, stress, and team dynamics. Some even do isolation exercises to mimic space confinement.
Flight surgeons keep tabs on everyone’s health throughout training. Physical conditioning programs help civilians get ready for launch and life in microgravity.
Civilian astronauts juggle a mix of science and public outreach during their missions. They run experiments, keep equipment working, and share their journey with people back on Earth.
Civilian astronauts conduct medical experiments that track the human body in space. They collect blood samples, use ultrasound, and monitor vital signs with special equipment. The training covers what they need, even if they aren’t scientists by trade.
Equipment management is another big part of the job. Crew members keep life support running, handle comms, and manage payloads. The International Space Station needs daily upkeep, and civilian astronauts pitch in after the right training.
Data collection takes up a lot of time. Civilians track sleep, memory tests, and how their bodies react to microgravity. Researchers use this info to see how regular people adapt up there.
They also test new tech for future missions. Civilian astronauts try out user interfaces, equipment designs, and give feedback that only a non-pro might notice.
Civilian astronauts act as space ambassadors, making the experience real for everyone else. They snap photos, shoot videos, and talk live with people on Earth. All this helps make space travel feel less mysterious.
Educational outreach brings space missions into classrooms and communities. Civilian crew members do live video calls, answer questions, and show off science tricks in microgravity. It’s a great way to get kids excited about space.
Social media keeps everyone in the loop. Civilian astronauts post updates, share how they make meals, and give glimpses of life aboard the spacecraft. People love seeing the human side of spaceflight.
Because they aren’t career astronauts, civilians offer a different perspective. They talk honestly about the feelings, challenges, and weird moments of space travel—stuff that really resonates with the rest of us.
Civilian crew members team up with seasoned astronauts who guide and supervise them. Pros handle the tricky technical stuff, while civilians stick to what they’ve trained for. This way, everyone stays safe and gets the job done.
Communication protocols lay out who reports to whom. Civilians follow clear steps for flagging problems, asking for help, and coordinating with the crew and ground teams.
Training brings everyone together before launch. Civilian and professional astronauts practice emergencies, sync up experiment schedules, and build working relationships. This kind of prep heads off conflicts and keeps things running smoothly.
The ISS runs on a tight schedule, and civilian astronauts have to fit in. They coordinate meals, workouts, and tasks with the main crew. Collaboration keeps the station humming and helps meet mission goals.
Several missions have really opened the door for ordinary people in space. Now you see business leaders, artists, and thrill-seekers flying, not just government astronauts. These flights prove civilians can handle orbit and take part in real space operations.
SpaceX made waves in September 2021 with Inspiration4, the first orbital mission run by an all-civilian crew. The four-person team spent three days circling Earth in a Crew Dragon capsule, reaching 585 kilometers up.
This mission set a ton of firsts. For one, no professional astronauts were on board. The crew also went higher than the ISS—585 km versus 408 km.
Jared Isaacman led the crew as commander, and the other three civilians came from different backgrounds. They did medical research and raised money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Key Mission Facts:
The mission showed that with the right training, civilians can handle complex orbital work. Crew members spent months prepping—centrifuge rides, spacecraft systems, and emergency drills.
Axiom Space has led the way in commercial trips to the ISS, flying paying customers to the station. Their Ax-1 mission in April 2022 brought four private astronauts to the ISS for eight days.
The company’s astronaut training lasts several months. Participants learn how to operate spacecraft, run experiments, and get used to microgravity.
A seat on Axiom’s missions costs about $55 million. Yeah, it’s steep, but the price reflects the complicated logistics and the long stay in orbit.
Axiom has plans for more civilian research missions. They’re even building their own commercial space station to eventually take over from the ISS.
SpaceX’s Polaris Program is its boldest civilian spaceflight effort yet. This series will push the envelope with tougher civilian missions.
Polaris Dawn, the first mission, aims to pull off the first-ever civilian spacewalk. Four crew members will try out new spacesuits and head to altitudes not seen since Apollo.
The program will run three missions, each one building on the last. Later flights could go lunar or test advanced spacecraft with civilian crews.
SpaceX has already racked up 27 fully civilian orbital missions by 2025, if you go by mission trackers. That’s a huge jump and shows commercial human spaceflight isn’t just hype.
Soyuz flights with space tourists and private research missions also deserve mention. These trips have helped set training and safety standards for future civilian space programs.
NASA opened the ISS to private astronaut missions in 2020, letting civilians take part in research up in low Earth orbit. Now private companies organize multi-day trips where civilians work right alongside pro astronauts.
Axiom Space leads most commercial crew trips to the ISS. The company arranges private astronaut flights that last 8-10 days. Civilian astronauts train for several months before launch.
NASA requires all private astronauts to go through tough training. They cover spacecraft operations and emergency procedures. Everyone has to pass medical checks, too.
Training Requirements:
Private missions use SpaceX Dragon capsules, launching from Kennedy Space Center. Each trip brings up to four civilian astronauts. The price tag runs from $55-75 million per seat.
Axiom plans to build a commercial space station by 2030. It’ll start attached to the ISS, then branch off on its own.
Civilian astronauts get real research done during ISS visits. They work with universities and labs on microgravity experiments. A lot of the research focuses on medicine and materials science.
Private astronauts team up with NASA pros, sharing lab space and equipment. This partnership lets more research happen than government astronauts could do alone.
Research Areas Include:
Educational outreach connects civilian astronauts with students all over the world. The ARISS program lets students chat directly with ISS crew. These calls get the next wave of space explorers fired up.
The data civilians collect helps both commercial and government space programs. NASA opens up ISS facilities, and private companies bring in more research funding.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program changed the game for civilians in space. By teaming up with private companies like SpaceX, NASA helped create the systems and safety standards that make today’s civilian missions possible.
NASA’s Commercial Crew Program marks a big shift away from government-only spaceflight to public-private partnerships. The agency put over $8.2 billion into different phases, including Commercial Crew Development and the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability contracts.
Boeing got $4.2 billion, while SpaceX landed $2.6 billion through the main CCtCap contracts in 2014. These deals let companies design their own spacecraft, as long as they met NASA’s safety rules.
The program breaks from NASA’s old way of doing things. Now companies own and run their spacecraft instead of NASA calling every shot. This approach encourages faster manufacturing and fresh designs.
Key Partnership Benefits:
About 200 NASA staffers work on the Commercial Crew Program, mostly at Kennedy Space Center. The setup lets NASA engineers offer advice, while companies handle the day-to-day operations.
SpaceX changed civilian spaceflight with its Crew Dragon spacecraft. This vehicle became the first commercial craft to regularly carry astronauts into space.
The company joined every phase of the program, from CCDev2 through CCtCap contracts. Crew Dragon uses automated flight systems, but astronauts can take over manually using touchscreen controls.
This setup means pilots don’t need as much training as before, so civilian missions feel more accessible. SpaceX pulled in $3.144 billion across all Commercial Crew Program phases.
Reusable rocket tech from SpaceX slashes launch costs. That shift makes civilian flights much more realistic, financially speaking.
Crew Dragon Capabilities:
NASA missions with Crew Dragon have built up a solid safety record. That track record helps civilians feel more confident about flying.
SpaceX has flown several crewed missions to the International Space Station and keeps proving its reliability. Crew Dragon’s pressurized cabin fits up to seven people, though most missions take four.
The roomy interior focuses on comfort, especially for multi-day trips in orbit.
The Commercial Crew Program laid the groundwork for civilian space tourism. It set up commercial spacecraft operations and established safety protocols.
Private companies now use NASA-certified vehicles and procedures to offer space flights. SpaceX took what it learned from the Commercial Crew Program and launched Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission, in 2021.
That mission proved civilians, with proper training, could safely fly in space using commercial spacecraft. NASA’s safety standards now guide civilian missions, and its certification rules force companies to meet tough safety standards for both astronauts and regular folks.
Civilian Benefits:
Commercial Crew Program infrastructure backs missions even beyond low Earth orbit. The same launchpads, ground systems, and procedures support all kinds of space tourism flights.
The program’s success has drawn in more private investment for space tourism. Companies know that NASA partnerships add credibility and technical know-how essential for civilian spaceflight.
Civilian spaceflight opens the door to new science and makes space more accessible. At the same time, it brings fresh safety concerns for people who aren’t professional astronauts.
The industry juggles research opportunities with the need to manage risks as more civilians head to space.
Civilian spaceflight offers research opportunities that professional astronaut missions just can’t. When regular people go, scientists get data on human physiology outside the usual astronaut mold.
During the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, researchers collected data from four civilians on a three-day orbital trip. They compared how average folks react to space compared to highly trained astronauts.
Key research areas:
Space tourists sometimes carry experiments from universities and research groups. For example, Canadian entrepreneur Mark Pathy worked with the Canadian Space Agency to run science experiments during his 2022 ISS trip.
This approach means scientists can gather data more often as civilian flights become common. The findings could even help medical treatments back on Earth.
Competition between space companies keeps pushing down costs and improving tech for civilians. Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, and SpaceX all take different routes to commercial spaceflight, so customers have options.
Ticket prices are still high, but they’re dropping. Virgin Galactic’s suborbital flights run about $450,000, while orbital seats with Axiom Space can hit $55 million.
Current accessibility factors:
Experts think space tourism prices could fall to thousands of dollars in 50 years. It’s a bit like how air travel started—expensive and rough at first, then open to everyone.
Private companies are even working on space hotels and new tourist spots beyond just orbit. As more people fly, costs per person should drop further.
Civilian space travel brings bigger safety challenges than professional missions. Civilians get less training and come from all sorts of health backgrounds.
Space companies have to balance risk with keeping costs reasonable. In 2022, orbital launch failure rates averaged 4.3 percent, better than the old seven percent, but even a one percent failure is a big deal for insurance and liability.
Major safety considerations:
Space companies run shorter but intense training programs. Civilians usually prep for days or weeks, not years.
There’s not much long-term health data yet for civilian space travelers. Researchers say we need better health monitoring before sending people up as a routine thing.
Spacecraft designs focus on automation to lighten the crew’s load, but things can still break. Sometimes, civilians may not be ready to fix those problems under pressure.
The civilian astronaut scene is about to change in a big way. Private companies keep adding services, and governments are opening up new ways for people to reach space.
Competition between countries and businesses will cut costs and create specialized training for all sorts of missions.
Private space companies are rolling out astronaut programs for different civilian markets. SpaceX is planning Starship missions for lunar tourism, and Axiom Space is building commercial space stations.
Space hotels are coming soon, too. Several companies are working on orbital hotels that need civilian hosts, maintenance crews, and researchers.
These jobs could turn into full-time astronaut careers, not just one-off tourist trips.
Training specializations will pop up for different roles:
Manufacturing in space is on the horizon. Companies want to build orbital factories for products you can’t make on Earth.
They’ll need workers who know both manufacturing and space operations. Point-to-point rocket travel could arrive in the next decade, which means civilian pilots will need special training for suborbital trips between big cities.
China plans to send civilians to its space station, so US companies will have to step up their game. They’ll need to offer better training and more attractive packages to stay ahead.
Space agencies around the world are teaming up with private companies for civilian missions. The European Space Agency, Japan, and India are all working on their own commercial crew programs.
Cross-border training programs are starting to show up. Civilians can now train in different countries and get familiar with various spacecraft.
Competition is pushing innovation in training. Companies and countries are finding faster, smarter ways to prep civilians for space. Virtual reality and advanced simulators are making training quicker—maybe just weeks instead of months.
Space tourism is even becoming a diplomatic move as nations show off their skills to international guests. This trend will likely push for standardized safety rules everywhere.
Medical rules for civilian astronauts are loosening as spacecraft get more automated. Age limits are going up, and some health issues that once blocked people from flying are now acceptable for certain trips.
NASA picked just 12-16 astronaut candidates out of 8,000+ applicants in 2024. Civilian programs don’t have those limits—private companies can train as many customers as they can handle.
New eligibility categories are popping up:
Costs keep dropping as reusable rockets become the norm. Suborbital flights could hit $100,000 in five years, and orbital trips might fall to $1 million per person.
Educational requirements are disappearing for most civilian roles. Space tourists just need basic safety training, not advanced degrees.
This shift opens up space to people from all kinds of backgrounds. Payment options are getting creative, too—lotteries, contests, financing plans, even sponsorships and research partnerships now help civilians get to space.
Civilian space programs now offer several ways to reach space. NASA sticks with its classic astronaut selection, while companies like SpaceX and Axiom Space run commercial missions.
Each path has its own requirements, timelines, and steps to apply. Potential space travelers should know what they’re signing up for.
NASA asks for a master’s degree in engineering, biological science, physical science, computer science, or math from an accredited school. The agency accepts any of those fields—no real preference.
Applicants must be US citizens or have valid dual citizenship. There’s no age limit, but past picks have ranged from 26 to 46, with an average of 34.
You need either three years of related professional experience or 1,000 hours as a pilot-in-command. For pilots, at least 850 hours must be in high-performance jets.
NASA keeps strict medical standards with no waivers. PRK and LASIK eye surgery are allowed now, as long as a year has passed with no problems.
Military service isn’t required. If you’re active duty, you have to apply through USAJOBS and follow your branch’s steps if NASA picks you.
Axiom Space runs private astronaut missions to the International Space Station. They team up with NASA to offer commercial access to space for qualified individuals and organizations.
Most participants go through space agencies, research groups, or private sponsors. Axiom checks candidates based on the mission’s goals, medical fitness, and ability to finish training programs.
Selection includes medical exams, psychological tests, and technical checks. Candidates need to show physical fitness and prove they can handle spaceflight.
Training usually takes a few months. It covers spacecraft systems, emergency procedures, and activities tied to the mission.
Space for Humanity runs a citizen astronaut program to send diverse people to space. They look for applicants who will use their experience to help others.
You can apply through their online platform during open calls. The group looks for people with leadership potential, community involvement, and a drive to tackle global challenges.
Technical qualifications aren’t as strict as NASA’s. If you’re selected, Space for Humanity covers your flight, training, and post-mission support.
NASA doesn’t follow a set schedule for picking astronaut candidates. The agency announces openings when new missions need more crew.
The process takes about 18 months from the deadline to final selection. It involves initial screening, interviews, medical checks, and final assessments.
Applicants must use USAJOBS to submit their materials during the announcement window. You’ll need to build a resume in the system and finish online assessments, which take about 2.5 hours.
If you’re picked, you’ll start a two-year training program at Johnson Space Center. Training covers spacecraft systems, spacewalks, robotics, and mission operations.
Zero Gravity Corporation actually lets civilians try parabolic flights that make you feel weightless. On these flights, pilots fly a series of parabolic maneuvers, and each one gives you about 20 to 30 seconds of zero gravity.
Usually, you get 15 parabolic maneuvers in a single session. You’ll float and tumble just like astronauts do in orbit, but it only lasts for those brief moments.
You’ll need to go through a medical screening, but it’s not as intense as what astronauts face for spaceflight. They’ll ask you to fill out health questionnaires and show you meet some basic fitness standards.
For some, this is pure entertainment, while others see it as real training for future space adventures. In fact, a lot of commercial astronauts use these flights to get ready for orbital missions.
SpaceX runs commercial crew missions for private individuals and organizations. They’ve already flown civilian crews on missions like Inspiration4, and they often team up with other groups for space tourism flights.
You can’t just send in an application to SpaceX if you want to go as an individual tourist. Instead, SpaceX works with mission sponsors, space agencies, or partner organizations to pick crew members.
Usually, you’d need a sponsorship from a group that’s planning a mission. Sometimes that’s a research institution, a charity, or a commercial space tourism company.
Every mission has its own selection process, but most include medical checks and training assessments. If you’re chosen, you’ll spend several months training at SpaceX’s facilities or with their partners.
