Key Takeaways
- Beijing InterstellOr plans to offer suborbital flights onboard its CYZ-1 spaceship, targeting paying passengers.
- The CYZ-1, weighing 8 tons, will provide a three-minute weightless experience and will not enter orbit.
- Tickets for the first flights are priced at approximately $430,000, with initial bookings from businesspeople and a scientist.
Space Tourism Takes Off in China
Beijing InterstellOr Human Spaceflight Technology has unveiled a plan to launch the CYZ-1, a manned spacecraft designed for commercial space travel. During a presentation in Chengdu, Sichuan province, CEO Lei Shiqing emphasized efforts to create a “safe, comfortable, and affordable” suborbital flight experience.
The CYZ-1 is structured with two main components: a crew module and a backup escape capsule. With a weight of approximately 8 metric tons, a diameter of 4 meters, and an inner volume of 21 cubic meters, the spacecraft is equipped with six seats, a hatch, and several viewport windows to enhance passenger experience.
The launch process involves a small carrier rocket that will separate from the CYZ-1 at around 70 kilometers altitude. The spacecraft will then ascend to an altitude of 100 kilometers, crossing the Karman Line, which marks the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. Although capable of reaching up to 200 kilometers, the CYZ-1 is designed for suborbital travel.
Passengers will experience about three minutes of weightlessness before the spacecraft descends back to Earth, utilizing a system of parachutes for a gentle landing. Chief designer Zhang Minjie highlighted the inclusion of innovative technologies in the ship’s escape, reentry, and landing systems, aiming to lower costs while ensuring safety and comfort for passengers. Zhang’s previous experience at the China Academy of Space Technology brings substantial expertise to the project.
InterstellOr plans to conduct two unmanned test flights by the end of 2028, followed by its first crewed flight. Over 20 seats for the initial CYZ-1 flights have been pre-booked by various high-profile individuals, with each ticket priced at 3 million yuan (about $430,000).
Looking toward the future, Lei disclosed plans for a second model, the CYZ-2, which aims for flights reaching low-Earth orbit, with a maiden manned flight expected around 2032. Recently, the company successfully tested the landing-buffering system of the CYZ-1, confirming its reliability through a series of evaluations that showed an effective buffering sequence and fully functional equipment.
Beijing’s initiative in space tourism marks a significant step forward in China’s emergent commercial space sector.
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