Space tourism leaped from sci-fi fantasy to reality this month as the Lihong-1 spacecraft completed its historic suborbital test flight on January 12. Designed as a 'space bus' for civilians, this innovation could let ordinary people touch the edge of Earth’s atmosphere by late 2026 – no astronaut training required!
🚀 What’s the Buzz?
The reusable Lihong-1 vehicle promises 15-minute flights where passengers experience weightlessness and see Earth’s curvature. While ticket prices remain undisclosed, industry analysts predict costs could drop to luxury vacation levels within five years.
What’s Next?
Developers plan six more test flights this year, with commercial operations potentially starting in Q3 2027. Safety certifications and regulatory approvals remain key hurdles, but 2026 is already being called 'The Year Space Went Public' by tech enthusiasts.
