China's InterstellOr Targets 2028 for First Crewed Space Tourism Flights, Books Celebrity Passenger
Chinese space tourism firm InterstellOr has announced plans to conduct its first crewed space tourism flights by 2028, with actor Johnny Huang Jingyu confirmed as passenger 009.
The company unveiled a full-scale experimental CYZ1 crew capsule on January 22, 2024, alongside a landing buffer test to validate its reentry systems. The CYZ1 capsule is designed to reach altitudes beyond the Kármán Line (100 km), enabling microgravity experiences for commercial passengers.
InterstellOr’s ticket pricing for the suborbital flights reportedly starts at 3 million Chinese yuan ($430,000), with a 10% deposit required for booking. The company’s core team includes former members of China’s state space program, positioning it as a competitor to domestic firms like CAS Space and Deep Blue Aerospace.
Western parallels include Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital vehicle, though InterstellOr’s timeline hinges on successful certification and testing phases.
The 2028 launch window depends on regulatory approvals and the completion of safety demonstrations. State media reports indicate that Huang Jingyu’s participation marks the first celebrity booking in China’s commercial space tourism sector. While ticket details are stated by the company, independent verification of pricing and operational readiness remains pending.
The CYZ1’s design specifications emphasize reusability and cost efficiency, though technical challenges in thermal protection and landing stability remain unresolved.
