Suborbital flights shoot up to the edge of space but never pick up enough speed to circle the Earth. They follow a ballistic trajectory that takes folks right above the atmosphere, then brings them back down.
A suborbital flight sends a spacecraft beyond Earth’s atmosphere, but it simply doesn’t have the velocity to stay up there. The path looks kind of like tossing a baseball high into the sky—up, arc, then down.
These flights climb above 62 miles (100 kilometers). At that point, passengers float for a few minutes as the craft coasts, and then gravity yanks it back.
Some key features of suborbital flights:
The engines only fire during the climb. After that, the vehicle just rides its own momentum, coasting upward, then falling back down.
The big difference between suborbital and orbital flights? Speed and path, really. Orbital spacecraft have to hit 17,400 mph to keep circling Earth at about 125 miles up.
Suborbital vehicles only get up to 3,700 mph, even if they reach a similar altitude. That lower speed makes suborbital flights way less complicated and cheaper.
Speed comparison:
To stay in orbit, a spacecraft needs to enter a circular or elliptical path around Earth. It’ll keep circling unless the engines fire again.
Suborbital flights just don’t have the speed to stay up there. Gravity always wins, so the vehicle comes back down within minutes.
Most people call the Kármán Line—the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space—62 miles (100 kilometers) above sea level. Suborbital flights usually aim to cross this line.
But definitions vary. The US military and NASA say space starts at 50 miles up, while the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale sticks with the 100-kilometer standard.
Commercial suborbital companies usually shoot for altitudes between 50 and 70 miles. Blue Origin’s New Shepard climbs to about 66 miles, while Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo typically hits around 55 miles.
At these heights, you see the curve of Earth and the blackness of space. The air gets so thin that sunlight isn’t scattered anymore, so the sky turns inky dark.
Suborbital spacecraft shoot up on a ballistic arc, cross into space, then fall back. They use either vertical or horizontal launch systems to give passengers a few minutes of weightlessness above 62 miles.
Suborbital spacecraft take an arc-shaped path—think of tossing a baseball. The vehicle launches upward, peaks in space, and then falls back.
This kind of flight never hits orbital velocity. While orbital flights need about 17,500 mph, suborbital ones only reach between 2,500 and 4,300 mph.
The craft crosses the Kármán line at 62 miles up. That’s where most agencies say space starts.
Trajectory at a glance:
The whole trip takes the spacecraft up, briefly into space, and back down for landing.
Suborbital spacecraft use two main launch methods. Blue Origin’s New Shepard launches straight up like a classic rocket. Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo goes horizontal, piggybacking on an aircraft.
Vertical launch systems blast off from a pad. The rocket heads straight up, engines roaring, then coasts after cutoff.
Horizontal launch systems start with a carrier plane. The spacecraft separates at altitude, then fires its rocket to climb into space.
Either way, passengers get to space altitude and enjoy several minutes of weightlessness before heading back down.
Virgin Galactic’s system lands on a runway. Blue Origin lands vertically, using parachutes and retro rockets.
A suborbital flight takes about 10-15 minutes, start to finish. But only a small chunk of that is actually spent in space.
Powered ascent lasts 1-3 minutes. Rocket engines push the spacecraft up fast, and passengers feel heavy G-forces.
Microgravity phase gives 3-6 minutes of weightlessness. The engines cut out, and everyone floats around the cabin. This lasts until the craft starts reentering the atmosphere.
Reentry and landing take 5-8 minutes. The spacecraft slows as it meets thicker air. Parachutes or wings help it land safely.
Passengers feel the strongest sensations during launch and reentry. The weightlessness phase is surprisingly quiet and peaceful—just drifting through space.
Three companies really lead the suborbital space tourism scene right now. Blue Origin runs New Shepard for automated flights. Virgin Galactic uses SpaceShipTwo for piloted trips. Each one gives a different kind of ride for aspiring civilian astronauts.
Blue Origin stands out with its New Shepard rocket, built just for suborbital tourism. They’ve flown dozens of crewed missions since 2021.
New Shepard runs totally on autopilot. Passengers don’t touch any controls. The rocket launches vertically, then separates from the crew capsule about 250,000 feet up.
Each seat gets a big window. Travelers get roughly four minutes of weightlessness above the Kármán line. The capsule lands by parachute, and the booster lands itself for reuse.
Flight specs:
Blue Origin usually flies out of West Texas. They focus a lot on safety, with loads of testing and backup systems.
Virgin Galactic flies SpaceShipTwo, a rocket-powered spaceplane that launches from a carrier plane. They kicked off commercial service in 2023 after a lot of development.
SpaceShipTwo takes off attached to the WhiteKnightTwo mothership. At 50,000 feet, it drops away and fires its rocket. Passengers get a different ride than with a vertical rocket.
Powered flight pushes the spaceplane to Mach 3. Once in space, passengers unbuckle and float around. The craft glides back to Earth for a runway landing.
Key features:
Virgin Galactic’s way lets people feel both rocket boost and gliding descent.
Galactic is Virgin Galactic’s bigger vision—more than just flights. They’re building spacecraft, training programs, and more for the suborbital market.
Virgin Galactic runs astronaut training in New Mexico. Passengers go through three days of prep before their flight. Training covers G-forces and weightlessness.
They want to ramp up flights by building more spacecraft. Virgin Galactic hopes to fly monthly as demand grows.
Program highlights:
They also let research groups send experiments up for brief stints in space.
Two billionaires really shaped the suborbital industry. Jeff Bezos launched Blue Origin’s New Shepard program, and Sir Richard Branson built Virgin Galactic with SpaceShipTwo.
Jeff Bezos started Blue Origin back in 2000, hoping to make space travel routine. The Amazon founder poured billions of his own money into New Shepard.
Bezos took his first suborbital flight on July 20, 2021. He flew with his brother Mark, 82-year-old aviation legend Wally Funk, and 18-year-old Oliver Daemen. The flight lasted 10 minutes and climbed to 351,000 feet.
Blue Origin has sent 31 people into suborbital space with New Shepard. They sell seats to folks willing to pay hundreds of thousands for the ride.
All launches happen from their West Texas site. The rocket system includes a crew capsule that separates at the top. Passengers float for a few minutes, then come back down.
Sir Richard Branson launched Virgin Galactic in 2004 as part of his Virgin Group. He wanted to open space tourism to the public with SpaceShipTwo.
Branson took his own suborbital trip on July 11, 2021, beating Bezos by nine days. He flew on VSS Unity with five others, reaching 282,000 feet. The flight showed off Virgin Galactic’s air-launched system.
Virgin Galactic operates out of Spaceport America in New Mexico. They use a carrier aircraft, WhiteKnightTwo, to haul SpaceShipTwo up to 50,000 feet. Then the spacecraft fires its rocket to hit space.
The company has faced technical hiccups and delays. Branson’s flight aimed to prove the tech and draw in more customers.
Passengers on suborbital flights go through three unforgettable moments. They float in weightlessness, see Earth from the edge of space, and earn official astronaut wings.
The weightless experience kicks in when the spacecraft hits its highest point and starts dropping back toward Earth. Passengers and the vehicle plummet together, so you suddenly feel like you’re floating.
This floating sensation usually lasts for about 3 to 4 minutes on a suborbital flight. Blue Origin gives people roughly 4 minutes of microgravity, while Virgin Galactic flights hover around the 3 to 4 minute mark too.
While you’re up there, you get to unbuckle and drift around the cabin. Some folks do somersaults, others just watch objects hover in mid-air, and everyone gets to move about without gravity holding them down.
The microgravity environment lets you push off the walls and glide from one end of the cabin to the other. Even tiny things like water droplets or candy float around and turn into perfect little spheres.
Suborbital flights shoot up to altitudes between 50 and 62 miles above Earth. At that height, you can actually see the planet’s curve set against the endless black of space.
You’ll notice Earth’s thin atmosphere as a bright blue line, dividing our world from everything beyond. From up there, you can spot weather patterns, mountain ranges, oceans—stuff you just can’t see the same way from the ground.
Virgin Galactic climbs to about 53 miles, while Blue Origin’s New Shepard heads up to 62 miles. Both give you jaw-dropping views through big, purpose-built windows.
Only a few hundred people have seen Earth from this angle. Most say the view is life-changing, giving you a sense of how fragile and beautiful our planet really is.
The Federal Aviation Administration gives out commercial astronaut wings to anyone who flies above 50 miles on a commercial spacecraft. It’s official proof you’ve become a commercial astronaut.
Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic both hand out these astronaut wings since their flights clear the 50-mile mark. The wings mean you’ve joined a pretty exclusive club.
You’re not a government astronaut, but you’re still counted among space travelers. The FAA started this program just for the new wave of space tourism.
Getting the physical wings pin feels pretty special. A lot of people say it’s the perfect memento of their trip beyond Earth and into the unknown.
Companies like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin now let paying customers ride to the edge of space, soaring above 50 miles. These trips offer a few minutes of weightlessness and a look at Earth’s curve before bringing everyone back down safely.
Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are leading the suborbital space tourism charge. Virgin Galactic uses SpaceShipTwo, which drops from a carrier plane at high altitude. Blue Origin’s New Shepard launches straight up from Texas.
Both have flown paying passengers on multiple crewed flights. Virgin Galactic’s ticket costs about $450,000. Blue Origin keeps prices quiet, but seats run into the hundreds of thousands.
The Federal Aviation Administration keeps a close eye on all commercial space launches in the U.S. In 2024, the FAA issued 148 commercial space operation licenses. This regulatory framework tries to balance passenger safety with letting the industry grow.
Other companies are jumping in, too. New suborbital vehicles are in the works, and some folks think point-to-point suborbital travel could connect distant cities by 2030.
Suborbital passengers float for around three to four minutes during their flight. The whole adventure, from takeoff to landing, lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. You get to see the blackness of space and the curve of Earth right outside those huge windows.
Training is pretty simple compared to what astronauts go through for orbital flights. Virgin Galactic gives you a few days of prep at Spaceport America in New Mexico. Blue Origin does something similar in Texas.
Medical checks focus on basic heart health. You’ll need to pass a screening, but you won’t need the hardcore training required for longer missions. Some companies even let folks over 80 fly.
You’ll get safety briefings, run through simulator sessions, and practice emergency procedures. The companies call you a space traveler, not just a tourist. After your flight, you’ll get official astronaut wings.
Suborbital flights give scientists a research environment you just can’t get on the ground. These missions offer several minutes of microgravity and access to the edge of space, letting researchers run experiments and test tech for future missions.
During suborbital flights, scientists get 3-4 minutes of near-weightless conditions. That short window is surprisingly valuable for studying how materials, biological samples, and physical processes behave without gravity.
Biological research really benefits here. Researchers can see how cells, proteins, and other biological materials react in microgravity. These studies help us understand basic biology and plan for longer missions.
Materials science experiments also take advantage of microgravity. Scientists observe how crystals grow, how fluids move, and how flames burn—stuff that just doesn’t happen the same way down here on Earth.
Institutions use platforms like Blue Origin’s New Shepard and Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity for these experiments. For example, the Mayo Clinic’s ATOM project looks at how spacecraft acceleration, temperature, and pressure affect biology during flight.
Suborbital flights are great for testing new space tech before sending it to orbit. This kind of testing saves money and lowers risk.
Autonomous systems get put through their paces up there. Robotic systems, sensors, and navigation gear deal with real space conditions—everything from extreme temperatures to radiation and vacuum.
Instrument calibration happens under real space conditions, too. Scientists check if their measuring tools work as expected by comparing readings in suborbital space to what they predict.
This process pushes Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) higher for new equipment. If components perform well in suborbital tests, they can move on to bigger missions, even NASA’s orbital or deep space programs.
Commercial providers offer a mix of test environments. Some flights keep payloads protected in pressurized cabins, while others expose them to open space or even let them eject for recovery after flight.
Sounding rockets are NASA’s go-to for suborbital scientific research. They carry instruments and experiments up to altitudes between 100 and 1400 kilometers, delivering crucial data for atmospheric studies, solar research, and tech development—without the high cost of orbital launches.
Sounding rockets carry instruments on suborbital flights that reach space but don’t go all the way into orbit. The term “sounding” actually comes from a nautical word meaning “to measure,” which fits since they’re mainly for scientific measurements.
NASA runs 16 different sounding rocket vehicles, from basic single-stage Orion rockets to complex four-stage Black Brant XII systems. These rockets can go from 100 kilometers up to over 1400 kilometers above Earth.
Each mission only spends a few minutes in space. But during that short time, researchers grab valuable data in microgravity.
Launches happen from spots like Wallops Island in Virginia, White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, and even places like Norway’s Andoya Space Center. Teams recover the payloads after splashdown or when they land on the ground.
Sounding rockets help out with NASA’s Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Astrophysics work. Recent missions show just how versatile these rockets can be for advancing research and testing new tech.
The TOMEX+ mission, for example, uses three rockets to study turbulence and mixing in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere. Student programs like RockSat-X let college teams design experiments that fly up to 150-170 kilometers.
Solar research missions such as SNIFS dig into solar flares and dynamics in the lower solar atmosphere with special ultraviolet tools. Aurora studies like GIRAFF look at the fastest optical changes in Earth’s polar lights.
These missions often pave the way for bigger space programs. They’re a cheap way to test new tech and instruments before sending them up on satellites or to the space station.
Suborbital spaceflight got its start with military ballistic missiles, but quickly evolved into human spaceflight programs that set the stage for today’s commercial space tourism. These early missions proved people could go beyond Earth and make it back safely.
The German V-2 rocket pulled off the first suborbital spaceflight on October 3, 1942, reaching 85 kilometers. That was humanity’s first step beyond our atmosphere.
In 1961, the United States launched its first human suborbital missions. Alan Shepard flew on Mercury-Redstone 3 on May 5, 1961, hitting 187 kilometers during a 15-minute ride. Gus Grissom followed with Mercury-Redstone 4 in July.
The X-15 program ran multiple suborbital flights between 1962 and 1968. Pilots crossed the 100-kilometer Kármán line 13 times, with the highest flight reaching 354 kilometers.
Russia had one notable suborbital mission in 1975, when Soyuz 18a suffered a launch failure. The crew still made it back safely after hitting suborbital altitude.
Modern commercial suborbital flights started with SpaceShipOne in 2004. It completed three flights above 100 kilometers, grabbed the Ansari X Prize, and proved commercial space tourism was possible.
Since 2021, Blue Origin has flown multiple crewed flights. Their New Shepard rocket has carried paying customers and celebrities on 11-minute trips above 100 kilometers.
The first suborbital vehicles were really just military missiles adapted for research. Wernher von Braun’s team built the Redstone rocket that launched the first American astronauts.
The X-15 was the first real suborbital spacecraft built for the job. Pilots flew the rocket-powered plane from start to finish, collecting key data on what it’s like for humans in space.
SpaceShipOne kicked off the modern commercial era. It used a unique feathering system for reentry and launched from a carrier aircraft.
Today’s commercial vehicles, like New Shepard and VSS Unity, build on decades of safety improvements. They run on automated flight systems, have emergency escape options, and come loaded with redundant safety features—designed specifically for space tourism.
Suborbital flights follow strict safety protocols that federal agencies enforce. Passengers have to meet health requirements and finish safety training before launch. The Federal Aviation Administration oversees commercial space operations with a licensing system that’s all about protecting both crew and passengers.
The FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) leads the regulation of all commercial suborbital flights in the United States.
Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic need to get launch licenses that prove their vehicles meet strict safety standards.
To get licensed, operators submit technical specs, flight plans, and safety analyses.
The FAA checks each application and works with the Department of Defense, Department of State, and NASA to keep national security in mind.
Key regulatory requirements include:
Operators also get experimental permits while developing vehicles.
These permits let companies run test flights and collect data for their full license applications.
The regulatory system tries to strike a balance between innovation and public safety by using phased approvals.
Passenger safety starts with thorough medical screening by aerospace medicine specialists.
Candidates go through cardiovascular stress tests, vision checks, and psychological evaluations to make sure they’re up for spaceflight.
Pre-flight training usually lasts two or three days.
It covers emergency procedures, G-force management, and spacecraft systems.
Passengers practice using safety equipment, handling depressurization, and managing motion sickness in microgravity.
Critical safety measures during flight include:
Space tourism companies keep strict weight and age limits for safety.
Most require passengers to be 18 to 75 years old, with no serious heart conditions or recent surgeries that could be risky during launch.
Suborbital flight tech is on the edge of some big changes that could totally shift how people reach space.
Spacecraft are getting safer and more reliable, and companies want to turn rare flights into something much closer to regular travel.
Modern spacecraft development now focuses on making vehicles safer and more efficient for civilians.
Virgin Galactic keeps tweaking SpaceShipTwo, adding better life support and automated flight controls.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard uses improved rocket engines for smoother acceleration and landings.
Key technological improvements include:
Boeing and others are working on next-generation spacecraft with more passenger capacity.
These new vehicles use better thermal protection and extra safety systems.
Flight computers now handle more complex tasks, which lowers pilot workload and cuts down on human error.
Rocket propulsion keeps advancing, letting vehicles reach higher altitudes while burning less fuel.
Electric and hybrid systems could play a bigger role soon.
Test programs at places like Spaceport America help prove new tech before passengers ever get on board.
Commercial space companies want suborbital flights to run as often as domestic airline routes.
Virgin Galactic aims for multiple flights a week out of New Mexico.
Blue Origin plans similar schedules as more people sign up and safety records grow.
Flight training is getting shorter and more efficient, so larger groups can fly.
What used to take months now only takes weeks for most civilian astronauts.
Medical requirements are loosening up a bit to let more people fly—though safety still comes first.
Factors driving routine access:
SpaceX’s Starship development could totally change the game, thanks to its huge passenger capacity.
The design might even make point-to-point travel on Earth possible, which is wild to think about.
NASA’s Flight Opportunities program keeps supporting tech that helps commercial space companies.
Spaceports are getting better infrastructure to handle more flights.
Ground support gear is becoming more automated, which cuts down on prep time between missions.
Suborbital flights go above 100 kilometers but don’t circle the Earth.
Passengers get several minutes of weightlessness, and tickets usually cost between $250,000 and $450,000.
Several companies now offer these rides, with flights reaching 100-110 kilometers and lasting about 10-15 minutes.
Suborbital flights reach space and then return to Earth without making a full orbit.
They follow a ballistic arc—basically, they shoot up and fall back down.
Orbital flights need much higher speeds, around 17,500 miles per hour.
Spacecraft in orbit keep falling around Earth instead of back to the ground.
Suborbital passengers get about 3-5 minutes of weightlessness.
Orbital missions can last anywhere from days to months, depending on the plan.
The energy needed for suborbital flights is just a fraction—about 3%—of what orbital missions require, which makes them a lot cheaper.
Virgin Galactic charges around $450,000 per seat for flights on VSS Unity.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard flights usually cost $250,000 to $300,000 per person.
That price covers pre-flight training, medical checks, and the flight itself.
Training takes a few days and covers safety, emergencies, and what to expect in zero gravity.
You might pay extra for travel to the launch site, hotels, or guest packages for friends and family.
Some companies offer payment plans to help more people afford the trip.
At the top of the flight, passengers see Earth’s curve against the blackness of space.
The thin blue line of atmosphere stands out as a fragile border between our planet and space.
On clear days, the view stretches for hundreds of miles.
Passengers often spot major landmarks, coastlines, and even weather patterns from above 100 kilometers.
As the spacecraft climbs, the sky shifts from blue to black, and stars appear—even in daylight.
Suborbital vehicles have big windows for the views.
Passengers can float and move around during the weightless part of the flight.
Virgin Galactic runs regular flights for paying customers with their VSS Unity spaceplane.
They launch from Spaceport America in New Mexico and started carrying private passengers in 2023.
Blue Origin flies people on their New Shepard rocket out of West Texas.
The automated capsule fits six passengers and has already flown several private crews.
Both companies have FAA approval and require medical checks and training before flight.
A few other companies are working on suborbital options, but for now, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are the main choices for booking a ride.
Most commercial suborbital flights go between 100 and 110 kilometers above sea level.
That’s above the Kármán line at 100 kilometers, which most folks consider the edge of space.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard usually tops 100 kilometers.
Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity often flies between 80 and 90 kilometers, which still counts as space in the U.S. (above 50 miles, or 80 kilometers).
Exact altitude depends on weather, flight plan, and how the vehicle performs that day.
Passengers experience space conditions and weightlessness either way.
At these heights, they’re above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere.
The views and sensations match what astronauts describe from their own trips above our planet.
You’ll get about 3 to 5 minutes of weightlessness during a suborbital flight. This wild moment kicks in right after the rocket engines shut off.
The weightless feeling sticks around until the spacecraft starts its powered descent. So, it’s a short window, but honestly, it’s the part everyone’s waiting for.
The whole flight usually lasts somewhere between 10 and 15 minutes, from launch to landing. Still, only a slice of that time happens above 100 kilometers—actual “space,” if we’re being strict.
Blue Origin flights usually give folks around 4 minutes of floating. Virgin Galactic offers similar timing, though it can shift a bit depending on the flight profile or even the weather.
During those precious minutes, passengers can unbuckle, push off, and drift around the cabin. If you’ve ever wondered what microgravity feels like, this is it.
Most people who’ve been up there say those few minutes stick with them forever. It might be brief, but wow, it leaves a mark.
