A Taste of Space on Earth: Orbite Raises $4M to Launch Luxury Astronaut Training Experiences
Image: Orbite
Seattle-based Orbite is redefining luxury travel with a cosmic twist. Following a $4 million funding round, the company has partnered with Accor, a global leader in hospitality, to bring space-inspired adventures to Earth. It offers a unique combination of luxury travel and astronaut training, from high-end training in Paris to glamping in Antarctica reminiscent of life on Mars.
Packages range from $19,500 for a three-day session in Paris to $215,000 for an eight-day expedition to Antarctica. These experiences are not mere vacations, but immersive trips into the life of an astronaut, with authentic training elements such as zero-gravity flights, high-gravity simulations and even space-inspired cuisine prepared by experts such as Jérôme Lacressonnière of Alain Ducasse Conseil.
The new company's partnership with Accor leverages the hotel brand's global reach and expertise to enhance its offering. Accor's Chief Development Officer, Agnes Roquefort, highlights the transformative potential of this partnership, “We are excited to pioneer a new frontier in space hospitality, offering unique experiences that connect guests to the wonder of space while fostering a deeper connection to Earth.”
The long-term vision includes building a state-of-the-art astronaut training campus near Cape Canaveral, Florida, by 2027. Despite the challenges posed by rising interest rates and delays in SpaceX's Starship program, the founders remain optimistic. Their CEO, Jason Andrews, believes that developments in the space industry, including SpaceX's plans to launch 400 Starships over the next four years, will drive demand for space tourism.
Its innovative programs attract a diverse clientele: some dream of trips with Blue Origin or SpaceX, and others are looking for an extraordinary Earth vacation with a space twist. With industry veterans like NASA astronaut Charlie Precourt and former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver as advisors, Orbite is well positioned to lead the luxury space tourism revolution.
For space enthusiasts and adventurers alike, it offers a unique opportunity to experience the future of space travel today. As Andrews rightly says, “I believe now is the time.”
