The rise of space tourism has become a hot topic in recent years, as billionaire-led, private-sector companies like Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, Elon Musk's SpaceX and Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic compete to start supplying civilians with recreational launches into the Earth's outer limits.
Another pioneering firm called Space Perspective is also on the brink of transporting explorers on leisurely expeditions to the edge of space, this time using carbon-neutral technology. Space Perspective bills itself as "the world's first luxury spaceflight experience company", according to Travel + Leisure.
These flights aren't rocket-propelled or subject to g-forces, but are instead gentle, carefully controlled ascents and descents propelled by a patented SpaceBalloon that uses lighter-than-air gas to rise up to the edge of space.
The sleek, spherical capsule design of its Spaceship Neptune was unveiled only this week, and features a stylish and comfortable interior cabin, which remains pressurized and climate-controlled throughout the voyage.
Inside, a meticulously crafted, first-of-its-kind Space Lounge provides a relaxing environment, complete with mood lighting, plush reclining seats, 360-degree views, a bar and a bit of foliage. Plus, onboard Wi-Fi will enable passengers to transmit and record every detail of their six-hour, round-trip spaceflight experience back to Earth.
Along with a patent-pending thermal control system, reflective-coated windows-similar to what's used for astronauts' helmets-will limit solar gain and keep the cabin's temperature cool and stable as it passes through a range of thermal environments.
Guests who journey aboard the Spaceship Neptune will sail 20 miles above the Earth inside of a spherical capsule featuring 360-degree panoramic views over our home planet and the infinite reaches of space beyond.
The spherical design is not only ideal for maintaining pressurization, but also allows the capsule to incorporate the largest-ever windows to be taken to the edge of space and a roomier interior with plenty of headroom for Space Explorers to move about the cabin.
The trip lasts a total of six hours, including a two-hour gradual descent back to Earth, and then a soft splashdown in the ocean, with its proprietary splash cone ensuring the water landing is safe and gentle.
Space Perspective's first commercial space flights are planned to take off in late 2024, and tickets are going for $125,000 per passenger. Spaceship Neptune itself is currently in production at Space Perspective's manufacturing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Our proprietary flight system means that the capsule and SpaceBalloon always remain connected, and take-off and landing conditions are always within our control," Taber MacCallum, Founder, Co-CEO and CTO of Space Perspective, said in a statement."From the details of the category-defining Space Lounge interior, to the stunning exterior design, our team integrated the physics, engineering, analysis, and design elements to create the Space Perspective experience."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, be sure to subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter here.
Topics From This Article to Explore
