TOKYO, Oct 29 — A Japanese travel agency announced on Tuesday that it will launch a point-to-point transport service in the 2030s, which could connect Tokyo and United States (US) cities such as New York in just 60 minutes via outer space.
According to Kyodo news, Nippon Travel Agency Co plans to offer the service in partnership with a reusable rocket development startup, with a round trip expected to cost around 100 million yen (US$657,000) per customer.
The transport vehicle would be launched from an offshore site and could connect any two points on Earth within an hour, according to the companies. They hope to link Tokyo and the US initially.
“We hope this business will be a new starting point to connect space travel and tourism,” Nippon Travel President Keigo Yoshida said at a news conference in Tokyo.
Advance applications will be accepted starting in fiscal 2026.
The project will proceed in stages, beginning with space-food tastings and tours of ground facilities related to space in fiscal 2026, followed by a service in the 2040s that will offer stays in orbit.
Under the partnership, Nippon Travel will design and market related products. Kojiro Hatada, president of the Tokyo-based startup Innovative Space Carrier Inc, said his company aims to reduce travel costs by increasing the number of flights each vehicle can make in its lifespan. — Bernama-Kyodo
AloJapan.com