Getting married in space is probably the most unusual thing you could do as a couple. But a company is offering to make it a reality, for a very high price.
The company, called Space Perspective, is launching a new service called the Neptune spacecraft. The six-hour journey takes you 100,000 feet above Earth, giving you breathtaking views of the planet and its starry, inky blackness. The capsule is designed with big windows for the best possible heavenly views, and it can accommodate eight passengers and one pilot in reclining seats. The Spaceship is powered by sustainable hydrogen without the need for rockets, which means no carbon footprint.
The first space wedding was held in 2003, when Russian cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko married his US-born wife Ekaterina Titov while orbiting the Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS). He is a highly accomplished astronaut, having clocked up five space missions and over two years in space in total. He is the second-longest serving cosmonaut and a recipient of Russia’s highest award, the title of Hero of the Russian Federation. The couple had a long-distance relationship for much of their professional lives as she lived in the US and he trained for his space flights in Russia.
In the wedding ceremony, he wore a formal flight uniform rather than a tuxedo, and his best man Ed Lu played Mendelssohn’s traditional “Wedding March” on his keyboard. The bride walked down the aisle to David Bowie’s song “Absolute Beginners” and then placed her rings on each other’s fingers. The whole event was filmed on video linkup and officially classified as a private family conference, not broadcast publicly by NASA. They then shook hands, blew kisses and then ate a celebratory meal.
A space wedding is not cheap – it will cost you $125,000 per person. But if you can afford it, the experience of being the first people to say your vows at such a lofty altitude will be unforgettable.
And for those who want to go even further, a space hotel is in the works. This cosmic cruise ship will be shaped like an orbiting spaceship and will feature hotels, bars and entertainment options. Construction is due to start in 2027 and it will be the first of its kind.
Of course, if you’re really into this idea, you’ll need to get a job in the space industry or join your partner on a future mission. Fortunately, there are a number of upcoming astronaut training programs to consider. In the meantime, you can daydream about what it would be like to work in space by imagining yourself on board Voyager Station, an orbiting spaceship that’s being designed as an interplanetary workplace. It will be complete with restaurants, bars, entertainment options and luxury suites. You can check it out for yourself in this YouTube video.