Space tourism is set to launch in the UAE with space flights commencing next year, with prices starting at Dh600,000.
Kemel Kharbachi, the founder and CEO of European space company EOS-X Space, plans to initiate space flights in Abu Dhabi and Spain during the third quarter of 2025. After finalizing the development of the manned Spaceship One capsules, the company will conduct crucial validation tests with military pilots in partnership with Spain's esteemed National Institute for Aerospace Technology (Inta). EOS-X Space's pressurized capsules, capable of seating up to eight individuals including a pilot, are propelled by an environmentally friendly helium balloon. These capsules ascend to the edge of the stratosphere at an altitude of 40,000 meters, offering space tourists awe-inspiring views of space, the blue halo, and Earth's curvature during a five-hour journey, in contrast to Blue Origin's 11-minute rocket flight.
The Spanish firm stated that passengers do not need rigorous preparation and will enjoy a personalized week-long program encompassing cultural, gastronomic, regenerative medicine, and wellness experiences. The price per passenger varies between €150,000 (Dh600,000) and €200,000 (Dh800,000), depending on the selected package. The company highlighted that other firms use rockets for space travel, costing passengers approximately a million dollars for a short experience that necessitates extensive training and physical fitness.
Additionally, the company announced that Abu Dhabi will be the site of its most ambitious global complex, which will include not only the shuttle and spaceport but also a hotel complex located on Yas Island. A third facility is planned for Tulum, Mexico, and is slated to be operational by 2026. "For now, we are offering an ultra-luxury product targeted 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," Kharbachi stated.
Globally, the space tourism market is projected to be worth over $9 billion. "The development of space tourism presents investment opportunities 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," he added. Kharbachi and his management team anticipate 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% compared to the previous year. The planned investment for the Abu Dhabi and Seville complexes will exceed $230 million (Dh844 million) in engineering and development. Currently, the company is in the midst of a €115 million Series D investment round led by US investment bank FTI Capital Advisor.
