Mapping global research on space tourism (1993–2022): a three-decade bibliometric assessment using R and VOSviewer

Purpose Space tourism is currently experiencing significant attention because of its rapid and burgeoning development in the present era. This surge has resulted in an unprecedented growth in publications dedicated to unravelling the intricacies of space tourism. However, there is a conspicuous absence of a large-scale bibliometric analysis focusing on space tourism research from 1993 to 2022. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill this research gap by examining and mapping the scholarly output published across the world in the spectrum of space tourism over the past 30 years (1993–2022). Design/methodology/approach A corpus of 7,438 publications pertaining to space tourism published from 1993 to 2022 was gathered from the Web of Science Core Collection. Accordingly, bibliometrix package in R and VOSviewer software were used to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Findings The current study highlights a significant surge in publications related to space tourism, indicating a heightened scholarly interest and a significant paradigm shift in its exploration. Scott M. Smith, affiliated with National Aeronautics Space Administration Johnson Space Center, emerges as the most prolific author. Leading journals in disseminating space tourism research are Acta Astronautica and Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine. Keyword analysis revealed hotspots such as “space flight”, “simulated microgravity”, “weightlessness” and “stress”, while research gaps include “skylab”, “shuttle”, “cartilage”, “herpes virus” and “herniation”, offering potential avenues for exploration. Research limitations/implications This study’s implications empower stakeholders with actionable insights and deepen the understanding of the evolving landscape of space tourism research, fostering an environment conducive to continuous exploration and innovation in this burgeoning field. Originality/value This study enriches the understanding of global space tourism research and offers valuable insights applicable to a diverse audience, including researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders. The broad applicability of the study’s findings underscores its significance, serving as a guide for strategic decision-making and shaping research agendas in the dynamic realm of space tourism.