Space tourism is an emerging industry that aims to provide private individuals with the opportunity to travel into space for recreational, leisure, or adventure purposes. It represents a significant shift in space exploration, as it opens up the vast expanse beyond Earth's atmosphere to civilian passengers, not just professional astronauts. The concept of space tourism encompasses a range of experiences, from suborbital flights to extended stays on space stations.

Suborbital space tourism is one of the most accessible forms of space tourism currently being developed. Companies like Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are pioneering this approach. 

Passengers on suborbital flights experience a brief but exhilarating journey to the edge of space, reaching the Kármán line (approximately 100 kilometers or 62 miles above Earth's surface) before returning to Earth. These trips offer a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of the Earth from space.

Orbital space tourism, on the other hand, involves longer-duration missions where private individuals can spend days or even weeks in orbit. The most famous example of this is the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, which has hosted several space tourists who traveled to the International Space Station (ISS). However, such orbital missions have been limited due to their high cost and logistical challenges.

Space tourism has gained momentum in recent years due to advancements in reusable rocket technology and increased interest from private companies. 

These developments are expected to reduce the cost of space travel, making it more accessible to a broader range of people in the future. Companies like SpaceX are planning to offer commercial missions to destinations beyond Earth's orbit, such as lunar and Martian missions, which could further expand the scope of space tourism.

While space tourism holds promise for providing unique and awe-inspiring experiences, it also raises ethical, safety, and environmental considerations. Ensuring passenger safety, addressing space debris concerns, and minimizing the environmental impact of space tourism are challenges that the industry must address as it continues to evolve. Nonetheless, space tourism represents a significant step toward democratizing access to space and making the once-unattainable dream of traveling to the stars a reality for more people.