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Big names in space tourism are Virgin Galactic, Space Exploration, Blue Origin, Aerospace, and Rocketplane Kistler. Beginning in April 2001, Dennis Tito was considered the first traveler to pay for a space trip out of his own money, with Space Adventures setting up more trips for the average citizen to travel in space. There is room for space markets regarding space tourism at a cost of $20,000 per trip, with trips becoming more popular as the cost will decrease over time.

LUNAR & ORBITAL TOURISM

Two space tourism companies' tours, the Deep Space Expedition by Space Adventures and the Lunar Express Mission by Constellations Services, involves sending two space travelers around the Moon for about $100M range, on aboard a modified Soyuz spacecraft. So far, a few tourists have ridden this spacecraft, staying at the International Space Station for one week stays with a waiting list at approximately $20M.

But recently, the head of Russia's space agency has announced that RosCosmos will no longer be taking space tourists to the International Space Station after 2009. This is due to limited capabilities as the ISS will need to be operating with 6 astronauts which will take up the space limitations. Additionally, after 2010 it is being planned for the American shuttle fleet to be grounded, requiring US astronauts to reach the ISS through the Russian built Soyuz delivery systems until the year 2015, after which NASA's next generation of spacecraft will be completed.

Presently, software billionaire Charles Simonyi will be the last space tourist to visit the International Space Station in March for his second trip, with his first visit on April 2007. Upon his return, the Russian Soyuz system will be dedicated to the ISS maintenance and expansion work.

AMERICA-SWEDEN UNION

Another biggie for space tourism is the united Spaceports between America and Sweden for their point-to-point. Now considered sister spaceports, this union is demonstrating a global cooperation in the commercial space industry while simultaneously "promoting a cultural understanding and stimulating education, tourism, and local economic development." Both spaceports have launched rockets, with the Spaceport American launching its first rocket in September of 2006 and Spaceport Sweden located on the test range where sounding rockets have been launching for over ten years.

It is hoped that tourists will enjoy the "interesting opposites" of the Sweden and New Mexico experiences. Last year the United States Federal Aviation Administration had issued a launch license for Spaceport America, in addition to the signing of the lease/anchor tenant agreement between Spaceport America and Virgin Galactic. By late 2010, it is expected that Virgin Galactic will be ready, but in the latter half of this year the Armadillo Aerospace will be launching. Not quite official, the Sweden government is still working on the legalities to allow Virgin Galactic to operate from its port.

SPACE TRAVEL AGENTS

Presently, space travel agents are getting ready for an onslaught of space tourists.  The Virgin Galactic has extended an open invitation to the travel industry who wishes to become space travel agents to apply for the coveted Accredited Space Agent status. This completed and accepted list will be announced during the TUR 2009 in Gothenburg on March 2009. What the company was looking for were individuals, companies or teams with proven track records for providing unique travel experience. The major point needed was that they could be passionate about making commercial space travel a safe, affordable and viable new sector of the travel industry—hoping to choose the very best for booking their spaceflights.