The billion-dollar space tourism industry offers trips into microgravity conditions for recreation rather than scientific research. At a cost of hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, space tourists can purchase a seat from several space travel agencies to experience the overview effect—the documented sense of awe associated with viewing the entire world at once.
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The structures consist of a pair of cylinders with a total enclosed land area of 500 square miles and can house several million people. Each is approximately 20 miles long, 4 miles in diameter, and contains three mirrors that open and close to form a day-night cycle inside.
Though "astronaut" has been used to describe any crew member in space, civilian explorers who lack formal training have instead been dubbed "space travelers" by some. The term "astronaut" may one day fall out of use or be modified by ongoing media and social perceptions as the space tourism industry continues to evolve.
As part of the Polaris Program, this first mission included a crew comprised of astronauts and SpaceX engineers who conducted scientific experiments and cultural outreach, such as raising funds for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
The retirement of the International Space Station in 2030 has led NASA to refocus its efforts on continuing microgravity research through private partnerships, including the support of multiple commercial space stations' design and development.
A collection of 44 studies, primarily based on data from a 2021 tourist trip to low-Earth orbit, identified immune system disruption and some kidney damage in tourists, with women appearing to recover from space travel faster than men. Return trips from Mars may require human travelers to be on dialysis.
Rocket launches release significant amounts of water vapor, nitrous oxide, and rocket propellants, which generate greenhouse gases and air pollutants. High-altitude emissions can persist for years, affecting the ozone layer.
Microgravity is known to cause arterial hardening, bone weakening, and other health issues, but the novelty of space tourism and the minimal exposure time for suborbital trips have limited the number of research studies. Many companies have participants sign extensive waivers to bypass the requirement of specific medical standards.
After accelerating up to at least 17,500 miles per hour, space tourists can travel in elliptical orbits hundreds of miles above Earth for days or weeks at a time. Suborbital flights instead max out at about 2,200 miles per hour and only travel 50 to 70 miles above Earth's surface for a few minutes.
The structure spans 488 meters in diameter and will rotate to simulate one-sixth of Earth's gravity while circumnavigating the planet every 90 minutes. The Voyager Station is designed to accommodate 450 guests and 150 crew members, providing amenities such as restaurants, a sports hall, and a movie theater.
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