While private space firms such as Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic depend on raw rocket power to ferry passengers to space, Florida-based firm Space Perspective wants to do the same thing, but in a huge balloon.
The company has already announced the launch of ticket sales for trips that are slated to happen in 2024. The balloon has successfully completed its first test flight. The cost for one seat is set at $125,000, and the company aims to send up to 8 passengers aboard the piloted Spaceship Neptune capsule, which will also have space for a bar and bathroom.
Looking at Earth from a different perspective
The passengers will be carried to the edge of the space in an advanced hydrogen balloon. The flight will ascend for around 2 hours and will go 20 miles above Earth, which is around three times higher than a long-haul flight.
The passengers will then be able to witness extraordinary views of our planet and other distant extraterrestrial objects in the cosmos. Before ending the trip, there will be a 2-hour descent to the ocean. Though the company aims to add more launch sites, the first one will take flight from Florida’s Space Coast Spaceport.
“Space Perspective will also be the first-of-its-kind space laboratory, able to repeatedly test and capture data from a part of Earth’s atmosphere which to date has been little researched, paving the way for more scientific and creative breakthroughs. Eager to act as change agents and propel research in climate and atmospheric science, astro and solar physics — Spaceship Neptune will enable Explorers to participate in research as part of their own experience,” the company said.
Cheaper but not better
While $125K is not a cheap amount, it’s still half the price that Virgin Galactic is charging for its rocket-powered space tourism service. Blue Origin hasn’t announced the price of its space ride, but it’s safe to assume that a similar price would be charged as Virgin Galactic.
But this also means that the experiences will be different too. Space Perspective’s balloon will be able to reach a height that is a third of what Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are targeting. Both companies are planning to take passengers to the Kármán line about 62 miles above Earth, also called the edge of space.
Passengers on Space Perspective’s aircraft won’t be able to experience the microgravity, while passengers going on the other two trips will be able to float around in the cabin for a brief period.
