Not quite into orbit but still out of this world, companies such as World View Enterprises are developing high-altitude balloon systems that carry passengers to the stratosphere. While these journeys do not technically reach space, they provide panoramic views of Earth’s curvature and the black sky above. Because balloon flights require far less energy than rocket launches, they may eventually cost tens of thousands rather than hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Read more in my post The State of Space Tourism in 2026.