The new frontier of space tourism: balloon travel

A step away from the ‘gates’ of Space, aboard a luxury cabin with a bartender on board. Space perspective prepares to cross the new frontier of space tourism: the California startup will soon offer the option to book the trip aboard a pressurized capsule that can reach the stratosphere thanks to a huge aerostatic balloon

As Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin focus on rockets and spaceplanes to mimic the same astronaut experience, this new company has opted for a decidedly more ‘light’ – with the obvious advantage of significantly reducing costs. Tickets for on board the Spaceship Neptune start at just over $100,000. Loads of? A lot, but nothing compared to what the companies of Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos are asking.

The cabin of the spaceship Neptune offers a 360 degree view thanks to a huge panoramic window. Even the capsule’s bathroom has a porthole to observe the space. The journey takes 6 hours in total.

Space Perspective presented the interior of its luxurious capsule to mark the anniversary of the achievement of cosmonaut Jurij Gagarin, the first man to reach Space.

Traveling aboard the spaceship Neptune will cost $125,000

The spaceship Neptune offers at least two different configurations. One of the images shows the cabin set up with some reclining recliners so that it can seat about a dozen people. Another image shows an even more exclusive setting, with what appears to be leather sofas worthy of an authentic private. A company spokesperson explained that the capsule can be rented for special events, including private parties and candlelit dinners.

Unlike other companies operating in the space tourism sector, Space Perspective also offers its customers a restaurant service

The cabin also includes a telescope to observe celestial bodies and planets in a way that would not be possible from Earth and several interactive screens.

The journeys aboard the spaceship Neptune last six hours The space balloon takes about two hours to reach a ‘height of 30Km, after which the vehicle remains at this altitude for another two hours – giving guests plenty of time to observe Space and enjoy the adventure in complete relaxation. The journey back to Earth takes another two hours: the capsule is landed in the ocean, where it is recovered by a ship.

The company has already successfully tested the capsule – but unmanned – in 2021. Space Perspective hopes to start operating the first commercial flight in 2024, tickets start at $125,000 per person. There are already 600 people on the waiting list, who have paid a no-obligation down payment of $1,000.