Could Space Tourism Become More Accessible by 2040? A Look at Tech Advancements

The CGTN Europe video (published March 13, 2026) examines whether space tourism could become more accessible by 2040. Currently a luxury for the wealthy (e.g., Virgin Galactic tickets over $250,000), the sector is projected to exceed $6 billion annually from 2030, driven by reusable rockets (SpaceX, China’s Landspace), suborbital flights, and emerging concepts like space hotels.

Prof Quentin Parker offers a cautious outlook: mass accessibility for ordinary people is likely 20–30 years away, though upper-middle-class affordability may emerge in 10–20 years through reusable technologies, economies of scale, and competition. He stresses persistent barriers—high risks (rocket failure rates ~few percent), health concerns for non-professionals, and regulatory hurdles—and notes space hotels are probably not feasible until late this century. Competition, including from China, could accelerate progress, but dramatic changes are unlikely in the next decade.