Deep Blue Aerospace, a Chinese startup, has unveiled its ambitious plan to launch commercial suborbital space travel by 2027. During a live streaming event on China’s e-commerce platform Taobao on Thursday evening, the company announced the launch of its first suborbital manned spacecraft and sold out the first two tickets within moments.
The suborbital journey is priced at 1.5 million yuan (approximately $210,500) for a round trip, with a deposit of 50,000 yuan. Early buyers during the live event received a discount of 500,000 yuan per ticket. More tickets are set to go on sale next month, signaling a significant step forward in making space tourism more accessible.
The manned spacecraft, to be launched by the company’s reusable rocket Nebula-1, is designed to carry six passengers to altitudes between 100 and 150 kilometers. During the approximately 12-minute flight, the spacecraft will cross the Karman line—the boundary at 100 kilometers above sea level that marks the edge of space. Passengers will experience at least five minutes of weightlessness before returning safely to Earth with the help of a parachute system.
Huo Liang, CEO of Deep Blue Aerospace, emphasized the importance of reusable rocket technology in reducing the high costs associated with space travel. “With advancements in reusable rocket technology, we hope to bring down the price of space travel to hundreds of thousands of yuan,” Huo stated during the live stream.
The company’s decision to initiate a three-year pre-sale is rooted in safety considerations. “Human life is of utmost importance, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone returns safely,” Huo said. Over the next three years, Deep Blue Aerospace will focus on technology development, rigorous testing, and performance optimization to ensure that the Nebula-1 rocket meets the highest safety standards. Huo also revealed that he plans to be one of the passengers on the inaugural suborbital journey.
The commercial space travel industry is rapidly evolving, with global players like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic leading the way. In China, several companies are entering the fray. In May, Beijing-based rocket company CAS Space announced plans to launch its first space travel vehicle in 2027 and begin manned trips to the edge of space in 2028.
Deep Blue Aerospace’s announcement marks a significant milestone in China’s burgeoning space tourism industry, highlighting the growing global interest in accessible space travel and the advancements in technology that are making it possible.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
