Yen for speed? Japan firm eyes launching 1-hour Japan-US travel via outer space
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The service, which Nippon Travel Agency plans to offer in partnership with a reusable rocket development start-up, would cost $852,400 for a round trip.
PHOTO: AFP
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TOKYO – A Japanese travel agency said on Oct 28 that it will launch a point-to-point transport service in the 2030s that would connect Tokyo and cities in the United States like New York in 60 minutes via outer space.
The service, which Nippon Travel Agency aims to roll out in partnership with a reusable rocket development start-up, would cost a customer 100 million yen (S$852,400) for a round trip.
The transport vehicle would be launched from an offshore spot and could connect any two points on Earth within 60 minutes, according to the companies.
“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.
Applications will be accepted starting in fiscal 2026.
The project is expected to proceed in stages, with space-food tasting and tours of ground facilities related to space beginning in fiscal year 2026, and a service launched in the 2040s to offer stays in orbit. KYODO NEWS
