European space exploration company EOS-X SPACE has announced plans to launch luxury space flights from Abu Dhabi as early as next year, a move aimed at cementing the UAE’s position as a global leader in space exploration. The advanced facility in the capital will not only house launch shuttles, but also a spaceport and hotel complex on Yas Island.
Thanks to EOS-X SPACE, “space tourism” is rapidly evolving from a futuristic concept to a tangible experience. The company aims to revolutionize space tourism by launching space trips that offer not only comfort but also luxury, targeting wealthy individuals eager to explore the cosmos as space pioneers.
Inspired by the exploits of Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner, who rose to fame after successfully jumping from the stratosphere in 2012, the EOS-X SPACE journey will carry passengers 40,000 metres up into the curvature of the Earth in a pressurised carbon fibre capsule lifted by helium balloons.
Over the last few years, several “space tourism” companies have made waves with their proposals for what a “space tourism journey” might be like. But EOS-X SPACE seeks to differentiate itself from the competition by offering customers a truly multifaceted and immersive experience from start to finish.
Unlike competitors that offer short, intense, astronaut-like launches that last just a few minutes and require rigorous physical training beforehand, EOS-X SPACE envisioned a leisurely journey that allows passengers to enjoy the beauty of space and the curvature of the Earth without the need for extensive physical training.
Each capsule can accommodate one pilot and up to eight people, so anyone who can fly is welcome to join the trip, which will consist of a two-hour ascent, followed by two hours of altitude cruising and one hour of descent.
Away from the voyage, passengers can also enjoy a customized week-long program at the EOS-X Spacehub facility on Yas Island, incorporating education, cultural experiences, fine dining, regenerative medicine and wellness, and stay in a luxury hotel offering five-star hospitality in between the program’s wide-ranging activities.
EOS-X SPACE CEO Kemel Karbaci explained to media that the company chose Abu Dhabi as its primary launch site for space tourism for several reasons, including the country’s reputation as a global financial hub, its growing tourist destination, and its favorable climate that allows for operations for more than six months per year. In addition to the Abu Dhabi launch site, EOS-X SPACE is also considering starting operations in Seville, Spain in the third quarter of 2025 and Tulum, Mexico in 2026.
Sustainability efforts are also at the core of EOS-X SPACE’s business. While traditional rocket launches contribute significantly to air pollution, the decision to use helium balloons as a power source aims to minimize the impact on the environment. Additionally, the company has a recycling program in place to reuse the balloons after the mission is completed.
Over the past few years, the UAE has demonstrated to the world its commitment to expanding the space sector through the successful launch of the Emirates Mars Mission, funding of the comprehensive UAE Astronaut Programme aimed at training astronauts and scientists for future exploration missions, and Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi’s recent mission to the International Space Station. EOS-X SPACE’s foray into space tourism will further strengthen this commitment and usher in an exciting new era for the entire region.
The cost of a voyage on the EOS-X SPACE ship is expected to be between 150,000 and 200,000 euros per passenger. If you want to know more about what a trip into the stratosphere will be like, click here.
The information in this article is accurate as of the publication date.
