NASA plans to allow tourists to visit the International Space Station by 2020.
Until now, the floating space lab has only been accessible to astronauts representing state-level space agencies.
But in a surprise announcement today, NASA confirmed that it would be “opening the International Space Station for commercial business.”
It means that private companies will be able to take “private astronauts” to the ISS for up to 30 days.
“The agency can accommodate up to two short-duration private astronaut missions per year to the International Space Station,” NASA explained.
“These missions will be privately funded, dedicated commercial spaceflights.”
Transport will be provided by both Boeing and SpaceX, who are currently developing capsules that can carry humans to the ISS.
It’s expected that a trip will cost around $50 million per astronaut.
Nasa will get around $35,000 per night that a private astronaut spends on board the ISS.
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