Chinese space startup Deep Blue Aerospace recently created a buzz with its plans for affordable trips to the edge of space, selling out two tickets priced at $210,000 each within just 20 minutes on Taobao, China’s leading e-commerce platform. These tickets promise a 12-minute journey that could begin as early as 2027. While the price may seem steep, it’s a fraction of the $600,000 charged by Virgin Galactic for a similar experience, and even more affordable compared to the rumored cost of Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin tickets.
Deep Blue Aerospace aims to make space tourism accessible, yet faces significant challenges. To date, the company has only tested vertical take-offs and landings with its liquid oxygen-kerosene-powered “Nebula-1” rocket. A recent test, however, ended with a fireball on the launch pad, showcasing the risks inherent to rocket science. The startup remains undeterred, vowing in a statement to overcome technical challenges and achieve an altitude of 62 miles with Nebula-1 by next year, a milestone that would further boost China’s fledgling commercial space industry.
Their crew module concept, resembling SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, seats six and features six windows for panoramic views, with the promise of up to 50 flights per module. The company is committed to rigorous testing, planning dozens of trials over the next two years, as they work to meet safety and reliability standards.
This bold move has spurred interest from other Chinese firms like CAS Space, which is planning similar flights, with tickets priced between $281,000 and $421,000. As competition heats up, Deep Blue Aerospace’s journey could redefine the space tourism market, offering a more accessible gateway to the cosmos.