From 22,000-mile elevator to Neptune Balloon: The cost of space travel for Indians

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Space Elevator

[{"selector":"#anim-ffbf6f4d-a09b-41d4-8277-ddac485956c6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-7.504105238651639%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The 22,000-mile elevator by Obayashi Corporation is a ₹8.44 lakh crore project, expected to offer ticketed rides to space by 2050. Individual ticket prices are not yet disclosed. Credit: Obayashi

Rocket Space Plane

[{"selector":"#anim-2b9a3f65-0429-4830-b587-3358b67b2db3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.1249997155643165%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Radian One’s six-hour space flight, launching by rocket-powered sled , is anticipated to be premium-priced, though exact costs remain undisclosed. Expect ticket prices to be in the multi-crore range.

Space Balloon

[{"selector":"#anim-85366488-9ae2-4650-84ba-06dbe50638d0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-2.4868995751603507e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Space Perspective’s Neptune balloon t rip to 100,000 feet offers luxury amenities and panoramic views. Tickets are priced at ₹1.055 crore; commercial flights begin in 2026.

Virgin Galactic

[{"selector":"#anim-c765ba58-c109-4d6a-99ff-8830cde2425b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.1249997155643165%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Virgin Galactic offers a 90-minute suborbital journey with weightlessness for ₹3.798 crore per ticket, providing breathtaking Earth views.

Lunar Flyby

[{"selector":"#anim-aaeb21f1-a564-4826-94cf-d4756444bff6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-3.12499971556431%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] SpaceX’s lunar missions offer close encounters with the Moon. Estimated prices reach into thousands of crores, for an exclusive trip around the Moon .

Mars Missions

[{"selector":"#anim-8480feb9-3913-4583-84c9-c0b37bc3207f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(10.697115146127011%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mars colonization projects by SpaceX hint at future civilian trips to the Red Planet, though expected costs are multi-thousand crore for a journey unlike any other.

Space Hotel

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Spacewalk Adventure

[{"selector":"#anim-62837e1e-d360-429b-9119-7a5ac95e7b63 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.945023052546155%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Future spacewalks for civilians are being considered, with expected costs in tens of crores for the unique experience of floating outside a spacecraft.

Deep Space Tours

[{"selector":"#anim-97bf5fbc-5333-4e14-8ad5-a644379b2ce2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(35.156249909928704%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Advanced missions may eventually allow trips to destinations beyond Mars, like Jupiter’s moons, at an anticipated cost of multi-thousand crores for deep-space travel.

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