Deep Blue Aerospace announced on October 23 that it will launch passengers into suborbital space in 2027, with ticket prices set at 1.5 million Chinese yuan (approximately 210,000 USD).
At this price, customers will receive “more than just a brief weightlessness experience”, according to Deep Blue Aerospace. “They will experience the vastness and mystery of the universe, witnessing breathtaking landscapes beyond Earth. This will be a multi-sensory, comprehensive, and unforgettable lifelong journey“, the company shared.
Deep Blue Aerospace also unveiled images of its suborbital flight system – a reusable rocket-spacecraft combination similar to the New Shepard developed by the American company Blue Origin.
Simulation of Deep Blue Aerospace’s passenger rocket and spacecraft system. (Photo: Deep Blue Aerospace).
So far, New Shepard has completed eight crewed flights to suborbital space, the most recent being on August 29. The spacecraft can carry six passengers, who will experience a few minutes of weightlessness and enjoy views of Earth amidst the dark universe during a flight lasting approximately 10 to 12 minutes, from launch to landing. The suborbital flights by Deep Blue Aerospace are expected to be similar.
Deep Blue Aerospace stated that the spacecraft will be launched using the company’s reusable Nebula-1 rocket. The spacecraft will reach altitudes of 100 to 150 kilometers, allowing passengers to cross the Kármán Line and enter the edge of space. The suborbital flight will last about 12 minutes, during which passengers will experience at least 5 minutes of weightlessness.
The round-trip ticket price is 1.5 million Chinese yuan (approximately 210,000 USD), which is less than half the cost of a suborbital flight from the American company Virgin Galactic. Virgin Galactic is one of the two companies that have successfully flown paying customers to suborbital space, alongside Blue Origin. While Blue Origin has not disclosed ticket prices, Virgin Galactic recently set ticket prices at 450,000 USD for a roughly 90-minute journey to the edge of space.
Deep Blue Aerospace sold two tickets during a live event on October 24, which were purchased immediately. Each buyer paid a deposit of 50,000 Chinese yuan. Their identities have not been disclosed. However, the purchasing conditions require buyers to be between 18 and 60 years old and in good health. Next, these buyers will undergo a rigorous physical examination to determine their suitability for the flight.
“The suborbital spacecraft will land using a parachute system, ensuring passengers return to Earth safely. The spacecraft-rocket combination will also undergo dozens of tests in 2026 to ensure safety and reliability,” a representative from Deep Blue Aerospace stated.
Deep Blue Aerospace is not the only Chinese company planning to enter the space tourism market. CAS Space, a spin-off of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), is also developing a suborbital crewed vehicle and could be operational in the coming years if everything goes according to plan.
