UAE Embarks on Space Tourism Adventure in 2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to venture into space tourism, with commercial space flights planned for the third quarter of 2025. The initiative, driven by the European space company EOS-X Space, will feature flights originating from Abu Dhabi and Spain, starting at Rs45.5 million (UAE Dh600,000) per trip.

Kemel Kharbachi, the founder and CEO of EOS-X Space, disclosed that the development of the Spaceship One manned capsules is nearly complete. These capsules will undergo crucial validation tests soon, involving military pilots in collaboration with Spain’s esteemed National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA).

The pressurized capsules, designed to accommodate up to eight individuals including a pilot, will be lifted by eco-friendly helium balloons. These balloons will carry the capsules to the edge of the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 40,000 meters. This altitude offers space tourists breathtaking views of space, the blue halo, and the curvature of the Earth during a five-hour journey. This experience differs significantly from Blue Origin’s 11-minute rocket flight, providing a longer and more immersive experience.

Unlike other space tourism companies that demand extensive training and peak physical fitness for brief and costly experiences, EOS-X Space provides a more inclusive and luxurious option. Passengers will partake in a personalized week-long program encompassing cultural, gastronomic, regenerative medicine, and wellness experiences. The cost per passenger will vary between €150,000 (Dh600,000) and €200,000 (Dh800,000), depending on the selected package.

In a detailed announcement, EOS-X Space outlined its ambitious plans for Abu Dhabi, which will host its most advanced complex globally. This facility will include the space shuttle, the spaceport, and a hotel complex on Yas Island. Another facility is planned for Tulum, Mexico, expected to be operational by 2026.

“For now, we are offering an ultra-luxury product aimed at high-net-worth individuals, with around 20 million potential customers worldwide. These ‘ultra-rich’ individuals, along with affluent people capable of spending between €150,000 and €200,000 for an unparalleled experience, are our target market,” stated Kharbachi.

The global space tourism market is estimated at over $9 billion. “The development of space tourism offers investment prospects as vast and promising as human curiosity. There will come a time, similar to the aviation industry, when this way of seeing the world becomes much more accessible,” Kharbachi added.

Kharbachi and his management team project that combined revenues from Spain and Abu Dhabi could reach $353 million in the launch year, with a gross profit margin of 19 percent. By 2029, the company aims to achieve a turnover of $1.127 billion and a gross profit of $324 million, marking a profit growth of 23.3 percent compared to the previous year. The planned investment for the Abu Dhabi and Seville complexes will surpass $230 million in engineering and development.

The UAE’s foray into space tourism underscores its commitment to innovation and its ambition to be at the forefront of the global space industry. This initiative is poised to attract high-net-worth individuals seeking unique and luxurious experiences, further cementing the UAE’s reputation as a hub of cutting-edge tourism and technology.