Luxury space travel company Orbite has secured $4 million in Series A funding, moving closer to its mission of bringing luxury and education to the budding space tourism market. The funding will accelerate the company’s ambitious plans to expand internationally. It will also elevate the training experiences, making it more immersive and establishing its highly anticipated Spaceflight Gateway Campus.
Marking a New Era in Space Preparation
Founded in 2019 by entrepreneurs Jason Andrews and Nicolas Gaume, Orbite has solidified its position in the growing space tourism sector. Unlike companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, which focus only on physical space travel, Orbite offers earthbound luxury experiences that simulate the rigors and thrills of space.
“Our global customers are eager to participate in the growing space economy,” said Mr. Andrews. “Our Experience Train Fly programme and our partnership with Accor offer a unique opportunity for people to experience space today in a luxurious setting,” he added.
The company’s signature offerings include five-day suborbital training and zero-gravity experiences. Now, with fresh funding, Orbite is exploring possibilities of simulating life in space and even on other planets, all while incorporating luxury accommodations, expert-led lectures, and advanced wellness programs.
A Fusion of Luxury and Science
Orbite has adopted a unique approach by blending the rigor of NASA-inspired training with the elegance of high-end hospitality. To achieve this balance, the company partnered with global hospitality leader Accor. Together, these companies are developing the Spaceflight Gateway Campus, a state-of-the-art facility designed to serve as a space training and education hub.
The Experience Train Fly is on track to debut in Paris in 2025. Its schedule will feature learning to prepare food for space travel in classes by Michelin-star chefs and participating in sea-diving charters in the Caribbean aboard mini-submarines that mimic the experience of space capsules.
“What Orbite is doing is offering, on a regular basis, very unique experiences,” said Gaume, the company’s executive chairman. “We want to make sure you understand what’s going to happen. We also want to make sure you savour and value what you’re going to learn, and enjoy it even more. A lot of people come to us without really knowing what it is,” he added.
A Global Vision
After the Paris launch, Orbite plans to establish Spaceflight Gateway Campuses in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the Middle East, and Asia. These facilities offer luxury space enthusiasts a one-stop shop for training, accommodation, and space-related experiences.
“If everything goes fine, we’d like to start construction next year or the year after and open a couple of years afterward,” Mr. Gaume said. Until then, Orbite plans to leverage partnerships and existing infrastructure to host quarterly events and tailor-made gatherings for space enthusiasts.
A Gateway to Space Dreams
While competitors like SpaceX and Axiom focus on physical spaceflight, Orbite is preparing clients to experience what life in space might be like. This makes it an attractive option for individuals looking to explore the space economy without the immediate commitment of a multi-million-dollar ticket to orbit.
“So, before you actually spend millions to fly with Virgin, Axiom, Blue Origin, Space X or others, you may want to try what it is and meet astronauts who tell you what’s really happening,” Mr. Gaume explained.
Orbite nurtures a long-term ambition of providing clients with immersive, luxurious, and educational experiences. This will gradually position the company as a burgeoning space tourism market leader. With its unique programs and plans for global expansion, the company offers a glimpse into a future where the excitement of space will be accessible to more than just astronauts.
The Path Ahead
Orbite’s international expansion and Spaceflight Gateway Campus establishment signal its intention to redefine how the world experiences space. With the support of investors, strategic partnerships, and a visionary leadership team, Orbite is making luxury space training an integral part of the space tourism ecosystem.
As Mr. Gaume describes, “Space-curious” travelers can look forward to a new era of exploration, where the stars will no longer be out of reach, even for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground.
