EOS-X SPACE: Luxury Space Flights are Set to Launch from Abu Dhabi Next Year  

European space exploration firm, EOS-X SPACE, has unveiled plans to commence luxury space flights from Abu Dhabi as early as next year, a move that aims to cement the UAE as a pioneering global player in space exploration. Situated in the capital, the advanced facility will house not only the launch shuttle but also a spaceport and a hotel complex situated on Yas Island.

‘Space tourism’ is rapidly evolving from a futuristic concept to a tangible experience thanks to EOS-X SPACE, as the company is set to revolutionise space tourism with the launch of space journeys that offer not only comfort but also luxury, targeting affluent individuals eager to explore the cosmos as early pioneers.

Drawing inspiration from the accomplishments of Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian skydiver who shot to fame after he completed a jump from the stratosphere in 2012, the EOS-X SPACE journey will take passengers 40,000 metres to the Earth’s curvature in a pressurised carbon-fibre capsule lifted up by helium balloons.

Over the last few years, several ‘space tourism’ companies have generated buzz with their proposals of what a ‘space tourism voyage’ might look like. However, EOS-X SPACE plans to set its journeys apart from competitors by offering customers a truly multifaceted and immersive experience from start to finish.

Unlike competitors that offer brief and intense astronaut-like launches that last only a few minutes and require rigorous physical training ahead of time, EOS-X SPACE have conceptualised a leisurely voyage that will allow passengers to take in the beauty of space and the Earth’s curvature without the need for extensive physical conditioning.

Each capsule will be able to accommodate one pilot and up to eight people, and the journey will be accessible to anyone who can board an airplane, with a two-hour ascent, followed by two hours of cruising at altitude, and concluding with a one-hour descent.

Beyond the day of the voyage, passengers will also enjoy a tailor-made week-long programme that incorporates facets of education, cultural immersion, top-tier dining, regenerative medicine, and wellness at the EOS-X Space Hubs facility situated on Yas Island. They will also indulge in stays at luxurious hotels where they can enjoy five-star treatment in between the programme’s wide-ranging activities.

Speaking to the media, Kemel Kharbachi, the CEO of EOS-X SPACE explained that there are several reasons the company has chosen Abu Dhabi as the primary launch site for its space tourism voyages: the country’s reputation as a global financial hub, its status as a growing tourism hotspot, and its favourable climate, which will allow for operations to run for at least six months annually. Beyond its launch site in Abu Dhabi, EOS-X SPACE is also looking into introducing operations in Seville, Spain in Q3 of 2025, and Tulum, Mexico, in 2026.

A commitment to sustainability is also at the core of EOS-X SPACE’s operations. Although traditional rocket launches contribute significantly to atmospheric pollution, the decision to incorporate helium balloons to power the voyage is intended to leave a minimal effect on the environment. Furthermore, the company has a recycling programme in place to repurpose the balloons after their missions.

In the last few years, the UAE has shown the world its commitment to expanding its space sector with the successful launch of the Emirates Mars Mission; its funding of the comprehensive UAE Astronaut Programme, which seeks to train astronauts and scientists for future exploration missions; and Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi’s recent mission on the International Space Station. EOS-X SPACE’s venture into space tourism promises to further bolster this commitment, ushering in an exciting new era for the region all together.

A voyage aboard an EOS-X SPACE vessel is expected to be priced EUR 150,000 to 200,000 per passenger. For a closer look at what a journey to the stratosphere might look like, click here.