What is it about?
Space tourism is rapidly becoming a reality—but research on the topic is still fragmented and lacks a clear direction. In this study, we reviewed over 20 years of academic research to understand how the field has developed and what challenges lie ahead. We found that work on space tourism tends to focus on three separate areas: environmental sustainability, consumer behaviour, and economic and policy issues. However, these areas are rarely connected. This lack of integration makes it difficult to develop responsible and sustainable approaches to space tourism. Key findings: 1) Research on space tourism is growing but remains fragmented 2) Sustainability is becoming a central concern, but evidence is still limited 3) Consumer demand is influenced by both motivation and perceived risk 4) Policy, regulation, and affordability are underdeveloped areas We propose four priorities for future research and policy: 1) Develop a clearer theoretical understanding of space tourism 2) Improve environmental impact assessment 3) Strengthen risk, insurance, and regulatory frameworks 4) Address affordability and access
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Why is it important?
Space tourism raises important questions about sustainability, safety, and fairness. As the industry grows, it could have significant environmental impacts (such as emissions and space debris), while access remains limited to a small number of wealthy individuals. Without better coordination between research, policy, and industry, there is a risk of repeating the same sustainability challenges seen in other sectors—this time beyond Earth.
Perspectives
What worries me about the future of space tourism is not just the technology, but how quickly the industry is advancing without clear answers on sustainability, risk, and fairness. From my perspective, research on space tourism remains fragmented, with environmental, behavioural, and economic issues often studied in isolation. This makes it difficult to build a responsible and well-governed industry. As launches increase, concerns around emissions, orbital debris, and limited access are becoming more pressing. If these issues are not addressed early, there is a real risk that we will replicate—and amplify—unsustainable practices beyond Earth.
Dr Krish Saha
Birmingham City University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Charting the Course of Space Tourism toward a Sustainable Future. A cross-cluster thematic analysis., Transport Policy, March 2026, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2026.104107.
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