NASA to open International Space Station to tourists from 2020

Tourists will be expected to pay NASA for their stay in space, for food, water and use of the life support system on the International Space Station.

NASA says the International Space Station is now open for business to private citizens. (AAP) Source: AAP

NASA said it will open up the International Space Station to business ventures including space tourism -- with stays priced at $35,000 a night -- as it seeks to financially disengage from the orbiting research lab.

"NASA is opening the International Space Station to commercial opportunities and marketing these opportunities as we've never done before," NASA chief financial officer Jeff DeWit said in New York.

There will be up to two short private astronaut missions per year, said Robyn Gatens, deputy director of the ISS.

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